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- Levada do Risco 4.4 Directions
- Levada das 25 Fontes 4.5 Directions
- Levada do Alecrim 4.6 Directions
- Vereda do Túnel do Cavalo 4.6 Directions
- Levada do Alecrim 4.6 Directions
- Levada das 25 Fontes via the Rabaçal Tunnel 4.6 Directions
The route commonly called "25 Fontes via Pico Fernades" (also known as the Rabaçal Tunnel route) is a popular community-mapped trail that starts on the Paul da Serra plateau and follows the old Levada do Pico Fernandes down through an ~800 m tunnel to reach the Rabaçal valley and the famous Cascata das 25 Fontes waterfall. It's not one of Madeira's official IFCN PR trails, but it's well-documented on AllTrails and widely walked.
| Community name | Levada das 25 Fontes via the Rabaçal Tunnel |
| Type | Out & back |
| Distance | ~9.3 km |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Estimated time | 5–5.5 hours |
| Rating | ⭐ 4.6 from 595 hiker reviews on AllTrails |
| Status | ⚠️ Not an official IFCN PR trail — no official open/closed status |
What makes it special: You start on the high plateau of Paul da Serra and descend through the ~800 m Rabaçal Tunnel — a cool, dark passages that dramatically opens onto the lush Rabaçal valley. The contrast between the bare plateau and the verdant laurel forest on the other side is striking. From there you continue to the Cascata das 25 Fontes, a magical waterfall with (as the name promises) some 25 springs cascading into a natural lagoon.
⚠️ Community route caveat: This trail is mapped on AllTrails but is not part of Madeira's official PR trail network managed by IFCN (the regional government's forests & nature-conservation authority). It therefore has no official open/closed status and no maintenance/signage guarantee — check local conditions before you go.
The Rabaçal area has several official IFCN trails that share the same starting zone and access:
| Trail | Code | Difficulty | Distance | Duration | Key Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Levada das 25 Fontes | PR 6 | Moderate | 4.3 km (+ 4.3 km return) | ~3 h | The 25 springs waterfall |
| Levada do Risco | PR 6.1 | Easy | 3 km (+ 3 km return) | ~2 h | Risco waterfall viewpoint |
| Levada do Alecrim | PR 6.2 | Easy | 3.5 km (+ 3.5 km return) | ~2.5 h | Dona Beja lagoon & springs |
| Vereda do Túnel do Cavalo | PR 6.6 | — | 2.3 km | — | Tunnel connection trail |
The standard way most visitors reach the 25 Fontes is via PR 6 — starting at the Rabaçal car park on ER105 and descending to the waterfall. The Pico Fernandes route is a longer, more adventurous alternative that approaches from the opposite direction via the high plateau and tunnel.
The entire Rabaçal / Paul da Serra area now requires a paid access via the SIMplifica portal:
- €4.50 — Visitors > 12 years
- Free — Visitors ≤ 12 years
This applies to all the official PR trails above and the broader Rabaçal zone.
Directions to the Rabaçal trailhead ↗ — from the Rabaçal area on ER105 (Paul da Serra). Arrive early (before 09:00) as the car park fills up quickly, especially on weekends and in summer.
- Footwear: The path can be muddy and slippery, especially after rain — proper hiking boots with grip are essential.
- The tunnel: Bring a head torch or phone flashlight — the ~800 m tunnel is unlit and can have standing water.
- Combine trails: Many walkers do PR 6 + PR 6.1 in one visit (25 Fontes and Risco waterfall) — they share the same start point at Rabaçal.
- Water & snacks: No facilities on the trail; bring everything you need.
Want me to check the mountain forecast + IPMA weather warnings for your planned hike day, or show you how to get to Rabaçal by bus from Funchal?





