Risco waterfall Madeira and the 25 Fontes

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Most walkers who come for the risco waterfall madeira photographs find two trails where they expected one, sharing a start at Rabaçal on the Paul da Serra plateau and splitting in the forest. One goes a short way to the Risco waterfall; the other goes further, to a pool fed by many springs, the 25 Fontes.

Both are classified trails, managed by the IFCN, walked out and back on the same path, and both begin about 44 minutes' drive from Funchal.

The Risco waterfall, the short walk

The common mistake is to set off on the longer trail and miss the waterfall everyone came for. The Risco has its own trail, PR6.1, the Levada do Risco.

It is 1.5 km each way, 3 km in all, rated easy and about 2 hours long, running at about 1,000 m. It shares its first stretch with PR6 and then leads to the Risco, a risco waterfall madeira tall cascade of about 100 m. The highest point is 1,288 m, at the start, and the lowest about 1,000 m, so the way back is gently uphill.

Because it is short and easy, PR6.1 suits a family, a walker who wants the view without a long day, or anyone combining it with the longer walk. Many do both: the Risco first, then back to the junction and on to the 25 Fontes.

The fee for visitors over 12 is the standard €4.50, paid on the SIMplifica portal; the IFCN's page on trail fees has the rules.

1. 1
   ER105 road, Rabaçal car park (start) car park on the ER105; the shuttle or the road down32.7549° N, 17.1339° W · Open in Google Maps
2. 2
   Rabaçal house and trailhead Rabaçal house, the trailhead of PR6 and PR6.132.7616° N, 17.1344° W · Open in Google Maps
3. 3
   Risco waterfall (PR6.1) the Risco waterfall, end of PR6.132.7603° N, 17.1229° W · Open in Google Maps
4. 4
   25 Fontes springs and pool (end) the 25 Fontes, end of PR632.7656° N, 17.1251° W · Open in Google Maps

Rabaçal, the start

Walkers often park at the first sign and walk the road without knowing a shuttle exists. The rabaçal madeira hiking trail start is the forest house below the regional road, and the road down to it is steep.

The walk begins at Rabaçal on the ER105, on the Paul da Serra plateau. From the car park by the road, a van runs down to the Rabaçal house; it is reported at about €3 one way and €5 return, run by the Calheta municipality between 09:30 and 18:30. Walking the road instead takes 20 to 30 minutes. Both trails start at the house. The Calheta municipality also names a second way in, from the Caldeira leisure area, known as the "Garagem", on the Estrada Dr. Roberto Monteiro.

The pr6 hike madeira walkers know best is the longer trail, rated moderate. By road the start is about 44 minutes from Funchal, and no regular bus goes to Rabaçal: a car, a taxi or a tour it is.

Arrive early. The car park and the shuttle are shared by both trails, and the forest path is narrow.

The 25 Fontes, the longer walk

The mistake here is to treat the 25 Fontes as a stroll. It is the longer of the two trails, and its return is uphill.

The levada das 25 fontes waterfall madeira walkers aim for lies at the end of PR6: 4.3 km each way, 8.6 km in all, rated moderate, about 3 hours. The trail follows the levada from Rabaçal, dropping from 1,288 m to 964 m, which is why the walk back takes more effort than the walk out.

It is one of the island's most popular trails with visitors and locals alike, and it is mostly forest, the Laurisilva that covers the north-facing slopes. The pool at the end, fed by the springs that give it its name, is the turning point.

The risco waterfall madeira levada junction comes first: PR6 and PR6.1 share the start, and the Risco is a short detour for anyone walking to the 25 Fontes. Doing both makes a fuller day; allow for the time of each.

Planning the day

People plan one hour for a walk that takes three, and run out of daylight or patience. The numbers are the plan.

The pr 6 hike madeira guides list takes about 3 hours for the 25 Fontes and back; add about 2 hours for the Risco if you do both, the shuttle or the road down and up, and the 44 minutes each way from Funchal. That is most of a day, and it pairs well with Fanal, also on the plateau, for anyone with a car.

A 25 fontes levada madeira waterfall day needs shoes with grip for a narrow, sometimes wet path, a layer for the altitude, water and food. The route is forest and levada, so the path is mostly level, then descends; the drops beside a levada deserve attention.

Book on SIMplifica before you go, and check the IFCN's notices for closures: Visit Madeira's trail page shows a banner when a section is closed.

The route to the 25 Fontes takes about three hours for the return journey from the trailhead.

Guided, or on your own

Walkers without a car often think the trail is out of reach. It is not, but it needs a tour or a taxi, because no regular bus goes to Rabaçal.

A guided 25 fontes hike madeira operators sell usually includes the transfer from Funchal and the walk with a guide; some products bundle the trail fee, and some do not, so read what you are buying and book the fee yourself if it is missing. On your own with a car, the day is simple: drive, park by the ER105, take the shuttle or walk down, walk, come back.

For the other levada walks, including the ones near Funchal, see the levada walks page; for all the classic trails and their fees, the hiking hub. The Visit Madeira PR6 page shows whether the trail is open.

Common questions

How long is the walk to the Risco waterfall?

PR6.1 is 1.5 km each way, about 2 hours in all, rated easy. It shares its start with PR6 at Rabaçal.

How long is the 25 Fontes walk?

PR6 is 4.3 km each way, 8.6 km in all, about 3 hours, rated moderate. The return is uphill.

Is there a bus to Rabaçal?

No regular bus goes there. Drive, take a taxi or join a tour; from the ER105 a shuttle runs down to the trailhead.

Do I pay to walk it?

Yes: €4.50 for visitors over 12, booked on the SIMplifica portal. Children 12 and under are exempt.