PR6 Levada das 25 Fontes Trail Guide 2026: Rabaçal, the Risco Waterfall, and How to Get There

The PR6 Levada das 25 Fontes is the most-photographed levada walk on Madeira, and for good reason. The trail leads through the heart of the Rabaçal valley - one of the most intact sections of the island’s ancient laurissilva forest - to a natural pool fed by 25 separate spring sources, collected beneath vertical cliffs wrapped in hanging fern and moss. On the way, a short detour leads to the Risco waterfall, one of the most dramatic single drops in the Madeira archipelago.

This is also the trail most likely to be fully booked if you leave it too late. The PR6 is the gateway walk for Madeira’s levada network, recommended by every guidebook and travel site, and the permit system introduced in 2026 means weekend slots sell out weeks in advance. Book early.

At a Glance

Trail code	PR6
Distance	8.8km return (plus ~3km for Risco detour)
Duration	3–4 hours (add 1.5–2 hours for Risco)
Difficulty	Easy-moderate
Start/end	Rabaçal rest area, Calheta municipality
Elevation	~1,000–1,020m, minimal gain on main trail
Permit fee	€4.50 per person (2026)
Headtorch	Not needed (no tunnels)

The 2026 Permit System

The PR6 requires an advance reservation through SIMplifica, Madeira’s official trail management platform, introduced January 2026.

How to book:

1. Go to simplifica.madeira.gov.pt
2. Register an account with your passport or ID number
3. Select Percurso PR6 - Levada das 25 Fontes
4. Choose your date and timed start slot
5. Pay €4.50 per person (children under 12 free; Madeira residents free but must book)
6. Download your confirmation - the QR code is verified at the Rabaçal gate

When to book: This is the busiest levada trail on Madeira. July and August weekend slots regularly sell out two to three weeks ahead. Midweek in May or October, five to seven days usually suffices, but book as early as you can. Shoulder season weekdays in March and April are the easiest to slot into.

Guided tour operators handle the permit booking on your behalf and charge approximately €3.00 per person for the permit (as part of a larger tour price).

Getting to Rabaçal from Funchal

Rabaçal is about 75km from Funchal, on the western edge of Madeira’s interior. The drive takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes via the Via Expresso ER104 west and then inland on the ER110 mountain road.

By car: This is the most practical option. Park at the Rabaçal rest area (Área de Lazer do Rabaçal), a large free car park at around 1,060m elevation. From here, the trail descends the service road approximately 1.7km to the levada.

The shuttle bus: During peak season (April to October, approximate dates vary year to year), a small minibus shuttle operates between the Rabaçal car park and the trail start. The fare is approximately €2 each way as of 2026. The shuttle saves the steep return climb after your walk. Most walkers walk down at the start and take the shuttle back up. Confirm current operation before your trip - the service is not guaranteed outside peak months.

By guided tour: Most operators collect from Funchal hotels between 08:00 and 09:00, drive to Rabaçal, and handle the permit booking. This is the easiest option if you don’t hire a car. Browse guided 25 Fontes tours from Funchal - operators include permit booking and transport as standard. There is no direct public bus to Rabaçal.

The Trail in Detail

From the Rabaçal Rest Area to the Trail Junction

Walk down the service road (or take the shuttle) for approximately 1.7km until you reach the Casa do Rabaçal - a small thatched house that serves as the trail information point. Here the levada begins and the trail splits:

• Left: Levada do Risco (towards the Risco waterfall - see detour below)
• Right: Levada das 25 Fontes (the main PR6 trail)

The Levada das 25 Fontes (main route)

The PR6 follows the levada channel through ancient laurissilva. You are inside one of the most biologically significant forests in Europe - a UNESCO World Heritage ecosystem that has survived since before the last ice age. The trees overhead are a closed canopy of Madeira laurel, Canarian laurel, Til, and giant tree heather, their bark covered in lichen and their roots wrapped in moss. The path is level and clear.

After approximately 1.5km from the junction, the trail descends steeply for about 200 metres - the only real gradient on the walk - to reach the 25 Fontes pool. Here, 25 separate spring sources feed a wide natural basin, the cliff walls above draped entirely in hanging vegetation. The pool itself is deep green, the colour matching the fern-covered rocks.

This is the turning point. Most walkers stay 20–30 minutes at the pool before retracing back to the Casa do Rabaçal.

Risco Waterfall Detour

From the Casa do Rabaçal, take the left fork onto the Levada do Risco. This path follows a different channel, climbing slightly before opening to a viewpoint platform directly opposite the Risco waterfall - a single drop of approximately 100 metres into the valley below.

The Risco detour is 1.5km each way from the junction, adding approximately 1.5–2 hours to your total walk time. The path is well-maintained and level. The waterfall is at its most impressive from November through April when north-coast rainfall is highest.

Route logic: Most walkers do the Risco first, then double back to the 25 Fontes. This means the more dramatic single-drop view comes early and the broader pool arrives as the day’s climax.

What to Bring

The PR6 has no tunnels and the Rabaçal valley is sheltered, but conditions can shift quickly:

• Waterproof jacket: The laurissilva holds moisture even on clear days; mist is common above 900m and the Risco waterfall creates its own spray zone.
• Walking shoes or trail runners: The path is mostly packed earth and well-maintained wooden boardwalk. The steep descent to the 25 Fontes pool has slippery rocks when wet.
• 2 litres of water per person: No water available on the trail.
• Packed lunch or snacks: The Casa do Rabaçal kiosk sometimes sells drinks but is not reliably open.
• Extra layer: The valley sits above 1,000m and is considerably cooler than the south coast, particularly on windy or overcast days.

Wet-Weather Sections

The PR6 earns its “wet” reputation. Even in summer:

• The laurissilva canopy constantly drips - plan for wet shoulders and arms throughout
• The descent to the pool can be slippery after rain; poles help
• The Risco waterfall creates spray in a 20m radius at peak flow (November–April); expect to get damp at the viewpoint
• Puddles on the levada path are normal - trail runners or boots with grip matter more than waterproofing from above

Best Time to Visit

November to April: The waterfalls are at maximum volume and the forest atmosphere is at its most dramatic, with mist weaving through the canopy. Expect wetter conditions and cool temperatures (12–16°C at 1,000m).

May to June: The best overall balance - good waterfall flow, improving weather, comfortable temperatures, and slightly lower crowds than peak summer.

July to August: Peak season. The trail is busiest, weekend permits sell out furthest ahead, and the 25 Fontes pool can feel crowded by mid-morning. Go early (first slot of the day) or look for midweek availability.

September to October: Excellent conditions. The channel runs well, the forest is green, and crowds ease noticeably after mid-September.

Connecting Walks

The PR6 is one of six levada trails covered in our Madeira levada walks guide, which compares difficulty, duration, and permit requirements across the full network. If you want a longer challenge, the PR9 Caldeirão Verde trail on the north coast is the next step up - a 13km tunnel walk to a volcanic waterfall amphitheatre. For a bigger adventure, the PR1 ridge traverse from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo is Madeira’s signature mountain hike. For full island trip planning, see the Madeira island guide.