• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to footer

ZigZagonEarth

Plan unforgettable road trips!

  • FRANCE
    • CORSICA
    • NORMANDY
    • PARIS
  • EUROPE
    • ANDALUCIA
    • CANARY ISLANDS
    • CRETE
    • ICELAND
    • ICELAND WINTER
    • MADEIRA
    • MALLORCA
    • PORTUGAL
    • SANTORINI
    • SCOTLAND
    • SLOVENIA
  • REST OF WORLD
    • NEW ZEALAND
    • OMAN
  • TIPS
  • EBOOKS
  • SHOP
  • ABOUT

Levada das 25 fontes hike (Madeira) – all tips + photos

Last updated on January 23, 2022 By Claire, the Travel Planning Geek

The most famous walk in Madeira is the Levada das 25 Fontes hike.
This trail takes you down in a lush valley, along a levada to the 25 Fontes waterfall. Plus, you can take a detour to the Risco Waterfall.
Below is my complete guide to help you plan your hike with tips, map and photos.

Levada 25 Fontes Hike Madeira Pin

Table of Contents
Is the PR6 25 Fontes hike worth it?
Best time & Difficulty - Levada das 25 Fontes walk, Madeira
PR6 Levada das 25 Fontes Starting Point - Access + Rabaçal shuttle
The Rabaçal Shuttle vs Walking 
Section 1 - Going down in the valley
Section 2 - Walk along the 25 fountains levada
End point - 25 Fontes Falls
Return walk - Viewpoint
Detour - Risco waterfall

This article contains affiliate links (Disclosure page). If you purchase using my link, I get a commission at no extra cost to you.


Is the PR6 25 Fontes hike worth it?

The PR6 trail a.k.a. Levada das 25 Fontes hike is one of the most famous on the island with the Caldeirao Verde one (see my list of top 10 hikes).
And it is a gorgeous walk. It includes:

  • going down in a lush valley
  • walking along a levada (traditional irrigation channel)
  • admiring magnificent trees and moss
  • Sitting in front of the weeping wall that is the 25 Fontes Waterfall
  • and maybe walking a little more to see the long drop of the Risco waterfall.
25 fontes Levada walk

25 Fontes Levada walk

I do think that, if you do it early morning or late afternoon to avoid the crowds, it is worth it.

However, in the middle of the day, the flock of tourists on this narrow path makes the experience a lot less enjoyable.:

  • you can't stop whenever to admire Nature 
  • you can't go at the pace you want
  • it is noisy with people talking
  • there is no space o enjoy the waterfall
25 fontes waterfall

25 Fontes Waterfall

The name of the hike comes from the waterfall. It is due to the number of fountains or little waterfall flowing along the wall. They are impossible to count, but 25 is the number in the name.

More photos after the planning tips.


Best time & Difficulty - Levada das 25 Fontes walk, Madeira

Statistics about the Walk

The official start of the walk is from the Rabaçal house down in the valley, but you have to leave your car at the Rabaçal parking lot. During the day, there is a small shuttle, but otherwise you have to walk. So here are the various data points:

  • Hike only from Rabaçal Forestry House (with shuttle down and up) -  5km return (2.5miles) - 2 to 3h return
  • If you add the walk down from the carpark and back up - add 4km return (2.5 miles) - add 1h to 1h20 
  • If you add the trail to Risco waterfall - add 1.6km return (1 mile) - add 20 to 30min return (with photo stop)
25 Fontes walking path

How difficult is the 25 Fontes walk?

It is considered a moderate hike.
Technically, there are no difficulties.

  • The path is well maintained,
  • with flat areas for your feet,
  • no tunnels,
  • just a couple of very short sections with the drop of the valley on the side.

However, it is not an easy hike.
It is quite long for someone who never hikes. You first go down and down in the valley (with lots of stairs).
And it is a return hike, so you have to walk them back up at the end of the hike!

The most difficult part is crossing path with people in narrow sections of the levada.

Best time to start the hike

There is definitively a best time to complete this hike.
It is very popular and can get crowded. Therefore, visit early morning or late afternoon, so fully experience its beauty.
If you park for sunrise, you will have enough light to easily walk the trail down.

  • Starting at sunrise
  • Returning for sunset

And between these 2 times, I think sunrise is better, because it means that when your hike is finished, the shuttle will have started and you can take it without queuing to get back up to the carpark (more info on the Shuttle later).

You can enjoy this hike all year round, even in Winter.

Rabacal valley

Other tips

  • Toilets at the Rabaçal Forestry house (but only open when the house is open - for a fee)
  • Snack bar at the Forestry house
  • Not facilities or place to go to the bathroom along the path
  • Wear proper hiking shoes, with the water it can get slippery

PR6 Levada das 25 Fontes Starting Point - Access + Rabaçal shuttle

25 Fontes Location - Map

  • West side of the island
  • On the Paul da Serra Plateau, it starts from the Rabaçal carpark
  • Easier to access from the South Coast of the island (several roads going up there)
  • Calheta Beach to Rabaçal carpark = 20min drive
  • Funchal to Rabaçal carpark = 50min drive
  • Ribeira Brava to Rabaçal carpark = 40min drive
  • Below is a map to locate it and get oriented:
Map 25 Fontes hike Madeira location

Map 25 Fontes hike in Madeira - location

This highlight (with GPS coordinates and practical tips) is included in my travel Guide eBook that helps you easily plan your Madeira trip:

Plan your ideal trip around Madeira!

small Madeira ebook cover
  • 7 easy-to-plan maps
  • 120+ pre-selected scenic locations
  • Planning tips to make the most of your time
  • 260+ large photos to decide where to go
  • GPS coordinates direct to the carparks

LEARN MORE

Drive to the Rabaçal carpark

  • Several roads can lead to the carpark.
  • It is on top of a plateau, so most of them are sinuous steep roads.
  • No major difficulties, though.
  • Be careful, if you are heading for the carpark at sunrise, there are many animals on the road at the top of the plateau. Drive slowly.
  • The carpark is large and obvious. However, during the day, it fills up.
wild rabbit on the road
Rabaçal carpark - 25 Fontes hike

Rabaçal carpark for 25 Fontes hike

Need to rent a car in Madeira?
My tips:

  • Compare car rental prices on my favorite platform: Discovercars.com - one of the best customer-rated comparison sites!
  • Choose the car and company you prefer (with enough power for steep roads)
  • Consider their full coverage option - I always take it for peace of mind! 
  • Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!

See my 36 tips about renting a car in Madeira

Bus to Rabaçal carpark

  • Sorry, there are no public transportation options to this carpark
  • You can take a bus to one of the coastal town and take a taxi from there.
  • Otherwise you can book a group tour that takes you to the hike and guide you through it - check out the options

Safety on the trail

  • Wear suitable clothes and shoes
  • Bring water and food
  • Stay on the track
  • Make sure you come back before nightfall
  • Walk with caution, especially when the path is wet
  • I always carry an emergency thermal blanket and my Garmin Mini, especially as I am hiking alone.

See all Osprey backpacks options

Thermal Blanket. They don't take a lot of space and it is safer to have one when hiking, just in case.
See emergency blankets

Learn more about the Garmin inReach Mini


The Rabaçal Shuttle vs Walking 

The first decision to make is how to get down to the beginning of the hike.
From the carpark, there is a road. But it is closed by a barrier.
Only a few local vehicles can take this road, including the shuttle.

The road is 2km one way (1.24 miles). 

Rabaçal closed road

Rabaçal closed road

About the Rabaçal Shuttle

There is shuttle taking hiker down to the house and back up to the carpark

  • Shuttle operating house: 10am to 6pm according to the sign (year round I believe, but I have not found any confirmed information on that)
  • Shuttle Price: 3€ one way - 5€ return

However, a few things you should have in mind on top of the hours:

  • It takes the shuttle 20min to do a loop, I think
  • It is a small shuttle taking 6 to 8 people (depending on health conditions)
  • It is a very (very) popular hiking trail

Therefore, you could be queuing for a very long time before getting in the shuttle!!!

Rabaçal shuttle

Rabaçal shuttle

Walking 

The walk along the road is not the most fascinating.
The vegetation is lush, and there are few small water features to look at.
Sometimes you can enjoy views of the valleys.
The road is in good condition.

Road to Rabaçal Forestry House
Rabaçal valley view

The Rabaçal Forestry House

At the bottom of the road is the Rabaçal Forestry House.
INside is the Rabacal Nature Spot Cafe. When open, you can enjoy some nice snack and drinks and relax on the terrace.
Cakes, burgers, quiches, soups, salads, pies, ice cream...
It opens from 9 or 10am to 5 or 6pm.

There are toilets below it for customers (otherwise pay 50cts).

Rabaçal Forestry House

My favorite option

I opted to do the walk at sunrise.
Therefore, there was no shuttle on the way down. I walked.
However, once I had finished to hike and was back at the Forestry house, the shuttle had started operating.
And since I had been alone to do the hike at this early hour, there was no one else to take the shuttle back up that early, and I did not have to queue, just to wait for it to arrive.


Where to stay in Madeira?
My tips:

  • For a choice of restaurants and if you don't rent a car -  See best rated accommodations in Funchal
  • For luxury resorts, check out the Lido area in Funchal
  • For a sandy beach - See best rated accommodations in Machico
  • For a quiet village in beautiful scenery - See best rated accommodations in Porto da Cruz
  • For a practical location to explore the island - See best rated accommodations in Ribeira Brava
  • To enjoy the natural pools - See best rated accommodations in Porto Moniz

More tips on my article about where to stay in Madeira


Section 1 - Going down in the valley

Once you start the official hike at the Forest house, you still have to walk down for around 600m until you reach the level of the levada.
There are many paths and signs around the house. Just follow anyone indicating 25 Fontes. They all join the same track at the bottom.

25 Fontes hike sign

The trail goes down via slopes and many staircases.
It is made of rocks and can be a little slippery. It is better to have hiking shoes.
The entire time, beautiful trees and ferns surround you.

25 fontes walking path
25 fontes hiking path

Section 2 - Walk along the 25 fountains levada

And then you reach the levada...
A levada is a traditional irrigation channel on Madeira island.
They were built to bring water from the Northwest of the island to the drier Southeast area, where it was easier to set up houses and agriculture.

Because Madeira is mountainous, building the levadas was not easy. Many of them are cut into the sides of the mountains and sometimes through mountains (with tunnels).
That is the reason why those walks so fascinating!

25 fountains levada

Along the way to the waterfall, the path is relatively flat (just a few staircases here and there).
The trail varies from soils to rocks.
Most of the time, you are surrounded by trees. But there are few sections where you have the mountain drop on one side.
However, it always feels secure because of the cables set up on the side of the path:

25 fountains levada - difficult
25 fountains levada - difficult 2

My favorite sections are always when the trees are bending over the path, creating and arch. It is so pretty.
It feels a little like a fairytale.

Trees above the levada

Towards the end of the path, there is one moment where it was not clear.
Always stay along the levada (the staircase is for the return walk).
Hopefully, there will place the signage back on the poles.

Levada path vs staircase

See on the pictures below how the trees are creating tunnels around the path.
Fascinating!

Tunnel of trees
Tunnel of trees 2

End point - 25 Fontes Falls

The end of the path is at the 25 Fontes waterfall.
It is a small area with large rock and a steep wall where many flows of water are dropping.
The wall is around 30m high (98ft).

25 Fontes Falls

25 Fontes Falls

It is not the most beautiful waterfall in the World..
But the red of the rock against the lush vegetation is charming.
There is a small pool at the bottom.

The name means 25 springs or 25 fountains because of all the small falls making it.

25 Fontes Falls - pool
25 Fontes Falls pool - red rock

Return walk - Viewpoint

The return walk is mostly on the same path.
There is just one section that goes around the levada, and avoids you crossing path with other hikers on narrow areas.
It goes up a staircase... And in this direction, it is clearly indicated.

Hiking marking
Staircase up in the forest

This path leads to a viewpoint before walking back down to the levada level, and then along it.

25 Fontes walk return viewpoint

It is just a view of the valley. Pretty, but not mesmerizing.

25 Fontes walk return view

Detour - Risco waterfall

From the same path at the 25 Fontes hike, there is also the possible of visiting the Risco Waterfall.
It adds a 0,8km in each direction.

Risco waterfall hiking trail sign

Is the Risco Waterfall walk worth it?

I think it is worth the extra effort. The waterfall is completely different.
The path is flat and wide. A very easy walk.

My recommendation is to do it last on your way back.
If you visit early, start with the 25 Fontes walk before the crowds arrive. 

Risco waterfall hiking trail

The Risco waterfall

It is 100m high waterfall (328ft) in several drops.
At the foot is a small pool. Access is not authorized. 
Don't follow groups with trained guides into it. It is very dangerous, serious accidents have happened.

The view from the path is already nice!

Risco waterfall

Risco waterfall


Want to see more of the best Madeira offers?

  • 42 Madeira travel tips to plan an unforgettable trip - read article
  • Where to stay in Madeira - best areas - read article
  • 35 best things to do in Madeira - read article
  • The best landscapes in Madeira in 40 pictures - read article
  • The 7 cables cars in Madeira and their amazing views - read article
  • Best time to visit Madeira - read article
  • Tips to drive around Madeira - read article
  • 12 Madeira Hidden Gems - read article
  • 4 Madeira Natural Pools (and 6 coastal alternatives) - read article

Planning a trip to Madeira?

Check out my travel guide to help you plan:

Plan your perfect trip around Madeira!

small Madeira ebook cover
  • 7 easy-to-plan maps
  • 120+ pre-selected scenic locations
  • Planning tips to make the most of your time
  • 260+ large photos to decide where to go
  • GPS coordinates direct to the carparks

LEARN MORE

And keep track of your own trip!

Madeira travel Journal

Want to see more of MADEIRA?

PREVIOUS: 

Seixal Natural Beach, pools & things to do

NEXT: 

The best Madeira landscapes in photos

Madeira Travel Guide

Inspired? Share it on your favorite platform!

Footer

CONTACT ME

Search

Follow ZigZag on Facebook

Follow ZigZag on Pinterest

Website in French: ZigZagvoyages.fr

Website in German: ZigZagreisen.de

Website in Spanish: ZigZagviajes.com

And discover the French regions:

Normandielovers.fr

LoireLovers.fr

CorsicaLovers.fr

 

Privacy / Terms of Use / Disclosure Policies / Refund policy

Become an affiliate for the ZigZag road trip guides

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. ZigZagOnEarth.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Amazon.uk and Amazon.ca

Copyright © 2023 ZigZag On Earth · Log in

If you continue browsing this site you agree with the use of cookies in this website.OkRead more