25 Fountains

Explore the Rabaçal Valley on a guided walking tour from Funchal. Hike along the levada trail that descends from the plateau of Paul da Serra and admire the 25 natural spring cascades of the Levada das 25 Fontes. Start with pickup from your hotel in Funchal and travel to the start of the trail. Join your guide and follow the routes of the "levada" irrigation system developed in the 16th century by Madeira's first settlers. Descend from the plateau of Paul da Serra to the waterfall of the Levada do Risco. Continue towards the Levada das 25 Fontes, dominated by moorland at its highest point. Walk until you reach a small lagoon at the bottom of an enormous cliff, and marvel at the sight of 25 natural springs cascading into the lake. Return along a different path, passing through a tunnel that carries water to the south of the island. Admire a wide variety of endemic flora and fauna along the route. Afterward, relax on the return journey to Funchal, with drop-off back at your accommodation.

Experience a different perspective on hiking: at your own rythym. With pick up and drop at your accommodation*, enjoy a Self Guided hike and visit the one of the most famous walk in Madeira: 25 Fontes and Risco Levada. Our schedules allow you to "skip the line" and have the path almost to yourself, during the first hours. Program: The guests are picked up at their accommodation to join a shared transfer (up to 8 guests per van), in direction to the 2nd famous hike in Madeira - 25 Fontes in Rabaçal (beggining). The hosts provide hike instructions and map explanation, with schedules. You will have 5 hours to do both paths "25 Fontes" and "Risco", ending at the cafe - Casa do Rabaçal. The pick up and drop of locations are the same (parking lot). Hike Information: - Duration: 5 hours - Extension: 10 km - Starting Point: Parking Lot 25 Fontes - Ending Point: Parking Lot 25 Fontes - Max Elevation: 1300 m - Min Elevation: 1000 m Transfer Information: - Capacity: 8 people - From the city to Rabaçal: average 1.5 hour - From Rabaçal to the city: average 1.5 hour - *Pick up/Drop off limits: Funchal, central area of Camara de Lobos, Ponta do Sol (center), Ribeira Brava (center), Calheta (center) and Caniço areas only Weather conditions are very unpredictable in this part of the island. Your reservation can be canceled or postponed. The day before the hike, you will receive (via email or WhatsApp) the exact pickup time and a weather forecast, in order for you to be as prepared as you can be. The schedules presented may be altered in case of delay in traffic, bad weather conditions or even delay by the guests.

Discover the waterfalls of Rabaçal on this guided hike. Enjoy hotel pickup and drop-off in an airconditioned bus from several points on the island of Madeira. Immerse yourself in the unique flora and fauna of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Be picked up from the comfort of your accommodation and sit back and relax on the drive to the Rabaçal reserve. Follow your guide on a trail of intense natural beauty that is brimming with waterfalls. Look for local flora and fauna as you walk through this lush wonderland. Pass by 25 natural springs which fall into a small crystal clear lake that is surrounded by dense vegetation. Listen to the falling water and the chirping of birds. Return to your accommodation by bus at the end of your tour.

The Rabaçal 25 Fontes walk starts in the Rabaçal, a walk through the middle of the Laurissilva forest, through the irrigation canals that reach the lagoon from the 25 Fontes. The origin of the name of the Levada of the 25 Fontes is due to the fact that there is a lagoon with 25 springs at the end of Levada, it is the most beautiful point of the whole walk with a large waterfall falling into a small lagoon. Throughout the tour you have an immense variety of species of flora and fauna  to gaze at on the island of Madeira. This Levada has a small passage from the north coast to the south coast, with a very interesting history due to its origin and the way it was built. It is one of the most famous of all the islands because of the unforgettable landscapes and sensations along the whole walk.

Set off on a self-guided hiking adventure to the picturesque Rabaçal area with convenient roundtrip transfers. Delve into the lush beauty and natural marvels of this enchanting region. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or a nature enthusiast, this hassle-free transfer ensures you can fully focus on exploring the stunning trails and breathtaking landscapes of Rabaçal. Arrive at Rabaçal around 9:15 a.m. The return trip departs from the Rabaçal Tunnel area (Calheta ER 211, Zona de Caldeira) at 2:30 p.m., heading back to any of the bus stops listed below: Departures from: • Caniço (near Riu) — 7:00 a.m. • Caniço (Estr. Avelino Pinto) — 7:05 a.m. • Garajau Dom Pedro — 7:15 a.m. • Funchal Center (near Tree House) — 7:35 a.m. • Lido II (near Miramar) — 7:45 a.m. • Lido I (near Meliá Mare) — 7:55 a.m. • Ajuda (near Pestana Royal) — 8:05 a.m. Enjoy a seamless journey and maximize your hiking experience with this dependable roundtrip transfer.

Embark on a journey from Funchal or Caniço to the Rabaçal Forestry Station, nestled in the picturesque Paúl da Serra region. Take a walk that opens the door to both the enchanting Levada do Risco and the captivating Levada Nova do Rabaçal. Venture along this path of moderate difficulty, spanning a scenic 11 km. Begin by tracing the path of the Levada do Risco, leading you to the mesmerizing waterfall that shares its name. Let cascading waters and lush surroundings set the stage for a nature adventure. Descend further to seamlessly transition onto the Levada Nova do Rabaçal, an enchanting route guiding you toward the awe-inspiring lake known as 25 Fontes. The name pays homage to the multitude of waterfalls that adorn this breathtaking locale. As you traverse the trail, find yourself immersed in the flora of Madeira. Witness the island's indigenous and endemic plant life, with a special focus on the high-altitude vegetation that paints the landscape. Marvel at sweeping vistas that stretch over this protected area. Concluding this captivating escapade, return to the south coast of the island through the Cavaleiro tunnel. Stretching over approximately 800 m, this tunnel serves as a fascinating channel between two worlds, bringing you back to the coastal splendor that defines Madeira.

Your adventure begins with a pickup from your accommodation. As we drive towards the Rabaçal area in Calheta, we might pause at a quaint local spot for a brief refreshment break, though this stop is not guaranteed. Upon arrival at Rabaçal, we start our hike with a scenic walk through lush nature surroundings. Our journey includes a 700-meter detour to the stunning Risco Waterfall. After taking in the majestic sights, we continue to the famous 25 Fountains Lagoon, where we'll stop for a 30-minute break. This 11km walk, with an elevation gain of around 75 meters, is of moderate difficulty and typically takes around 4 hours and 30 minutes to complete. As we traverse through this dense forest, keep an eye out for the unique flora and fauna that thrive in this pristine environment. Our knowledgeable guide will share insights about the local ecosystem and the history of the levadas, the traditional irrigation channels of Madeira. We’ll walk back along the same path, ending our hike by passing through a natural tunnel, a highlight of the trip. If time permits, we may stop at another local bar before returning you to your accommodation. This tour offers a comprehensive experience of Madeira's natural beauty, perfect for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts alike.

Rabaçal is an unique and magical place full of waterfalls and fountains. This levada walk is the most famous and beautiful in Madeira Island. This experience will start with a three (3) hours walk (approximately) including a 800 mts through a volcanic rock tunnel leading us to the northern side covered by an evergreen forest providing great landscapes and wonderful sensations. On this hike, we will have the opportunity to admire beautiful waterfalls carved in ancient valleys, natural spring water and its endemic species of fauna and flora (Laurissilva Forest). After this great walk, we will have a lunch break (lunch not included) in a typical Madeiran restaurant at Paúl da Serra, the biggest plateau of the island at nearly 1400 mts high with stunning views. Later on, we go downhill through a fantastic off-road expedition to the South Coast, where you will see and enjoy the fragrance of the exotic eucalyptus forest. Continuing by the coast, we go to Cabo Girão with the highest sea cliff of europe at 580 mts, known by its suspended glass floor viewpoint which offers a spectacular panoramic view over the Atlantic Ocean , Câmara de Lobos and Funchal (2 € p/p not included).

Rabaçal/25 Fontes This is one of the most iconic and most accomplished hikes in Madeira; it is a true feast for the senses. Along the trail you can enjoy centuries old laurels and heathers, as well as the unforgettable 25 waterfalls and fountains, all living up to its name. Recommendation: bring a hiking stick, appropriate footwear and water.

Come and discover one of the most beautiful places on the island, the Rabaçal Valley! This walk takes you to visit all the beautiful waterfalls in this Valley! Be different and escape the big groups! Follow the levada do Alecrim until the beutiful lagoon of Dona Beja. From there we will take to one of the most beutifull waterfalls and lagoon of Madeira: Lagoa do Vento. And... since we are there... how about a swim in crystal waters! After that we will visit other two waterfalls Risco and 25 Fontes. 16KM 5H