💭 Thinking
How this was derived · 3 steps
- Levada do Risco Directions
- Levada das 25 Fontes Directions
- Levada do Alecrim Directions
- Vereda do Túnel do Cavalo Directions
- Levada do Alecrim Directions
- Levada das 25 Fontes via the Rabaçal Tunnel Directions
This is one of Madeira's most distinctive hiking experiences — reaching the famous 25 Fontes waterfall through an 800-metre tunnel carved through the mountain, connecting the Paul da Serra plateau to the Rabaçal valley below. Walking through the tunnel is a memorable part of the adventure: a cool, dark passage that suddenly opens up to lush greenery and cascading water on the other side.
This route is officially designated PR 6.6 Vereda do Túnel do Cavalo, managed by IFCN (the regional government's forests and nature authority).
| Route | Zona de lazer da Caldeira (Estrada Dr. Roberto Ornelas – "Garagem") → Casa do Rabaçal |
| Distance | 2.3 km |
| Managing entity | IFCN |
| Access fee | €4.50 for visitors > 12 years; free for ≤ 12 years — payable via the SIMplifica portal |
| Community rating | ⭐ 4.6/5 from 595 hiker reviews on AllTrails |
Directions to trailhead ↗ · Official page (VisitMadeira)
On AllTrails, this route is mapped as a longer 9.3 km out-and-back that combines the tunnel approach with the full 25 Fontes visit — the LOOP most hikers actually do. The description captures the essence:
"The trail starts on the Paul da Serra plateau and passes through the Rabaçal Tunnel, a passage about 800 meters long that connects the highlands to the Rabaçal valley. Walking through the tunnel is a special experience, as the refreshing temperature and darkness contrast with the brightness and vibrant greenery that await on the other side…"
Estimated time for the full route: 5–5.5 hours (moderate difficulty).
⚠️ This combined 9.3 km route is a community-mapped route on AllTrails — not part of Madeira's official PR trail network managed by IFCN, so it has no official open/closed status. The official component (PR 6.6) does carry IFCN status.
All of these start from the same Rabaçal area and share the same €4.50 access fee, so you can combine them:
| Trail | PR Code | Distance (one way) | Difficulty | Key Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Levada do Risco | PR 6.1 | 3 km (+ 3 km return) | Easy | Risco waterfall viewpoint |
| Levada das 25 Fontes | PR 6 | 4.3 km (+ 4.3 km return) | Moderate | The famous 25 springs waterfall (6,244 reviews!) |
| Levada do Alecrim | PR 6.2 | 3.5 km (+ 3.5 km return) | Easy | Dona Beja lagoon & natural pools |
| Levada do Paul II | PR 6.8 | 1.2 km | — | Accessible trail ("A Path for All") |
- The tunnel: Bring a head torch or phone torch — the 800 m tunnel is dark and the footing can be wet. A light rain jacket is wise as the tunnel drips.
- Footwear: Proper hiking boots with grip; the path can be muddy and slippery, especially after rain.
- Access fee: Paid online at the SIMplifica portal before you go (€4.50 per person over 12).
- Parking: The Rabacal car park fills up fast — arrive early (before 9:00) for the best chance.
- Combining trails: Many hikers do the Túnel route down, visit 25 Fontes, and return via PR 6 (the classic levada path) for a rewarding circular day.
Before setting out, check the current trail status — conditions can change due to weather or maintenance. Would you like me to check the mountain weather forecast and IPMA warnings for the day you plan to hike, or look into how to get to Rabaçal by bus?