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Tell me about the PR 6.2 Levada do Alecrim levada walk in Madeira
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The user is asking about the PR 6.2 Levada do Alecrim hike in Madeira. I should use the find_hikes tool to get the official information about this trail.The search returned 0 results. Let me try a broader search - maybe "Alecrim" or just "PR 6" would work.The user is asking about PR 6.2 Levada do Alecrim. I found the official trail data plus community trail data. Let me compose a comprehensive answer about this trail. Key facts from the official IFCN data: - PR code: PR 6.2 - Name: Levada do Alecrim - Difficulty: Easy - Distance: 3.5 km (+ 3.5 km return) - Duration: 2:30 hours - Start: Rabaçal (E.R. 105) - End: Water spring of Levada do Alecrim (Lagoa 'Dona Beja') - Max altitude: 1339 m - Min altitude: 1256 m - Managing entity: IFCN - Access fee: €4.50 for visitors > 12 years, free for visitors ≤ 12 years (via SIMplifica portal) - Route: Rabaçal – Nascente da Levada AllTrails community data: - Rating: 4.6★ from 1719 reviews - Community difficulty: moderate - Route type: loop - Estimated time: 2.5–3 hr - Features: forest, lake, views, waterfall, wildlife There's also a webcam at Rabaçal: https://www.netmadeira.com/webcams/show/netmadeira/rabacal-madeira I need to note that the official status is not provided in the evergreen data, so I should direct the reader to check the current status. The note says "Do NOT state any open/closed/restricted status — it is DELIBERATELY omitted here because it changes over time and this page is cached." There are also several community (non-official) routes that include sections of Levada do Alecrim. I should mention the most popular ones briefly after covering the official trail. Let me write a comprehensive answer.
How this was derived · 3 steps
TrailsMap & photos
Levada do Alecrim6 photos
Levada do AlecrimLevada do AlecrimLevada do AlecrimLevada do AlecrimLevada do AlecrimLevada do Alecrim
Photos: walkmeguide.com ↗
Official PR trail (IFCN) Community route (AllTrails — not official)
Photos: walkmeguide.com · green = official IFCN PR trail · amber = community route (AllTrails)
PR 6.2 — Levada do Alecrim

Levada do Alecrim is one of Madeira's most beloved short levada walks, starting at the famous Rabaçal area on the Paul da Serra plateau. It follows a charming irrigation channel through dense laurel forest to the beautiful Lagoa Dona Beja — a natural spring-fed lagoon where you can spot the resident trout and enjoy the serenity of the forest.

Key details
DifficultyEasy
Distance3.5 km one way (+ 3.5 km return)
Duration~2 h 30 min
StartRabaçal (E.R. 105)
EndWater spring of Levada do Alecrim (Lagoa "Dona Beja")
Altitude1 256 m – 1 339 m
Managed byIFCN

Access fee: €4.50 for visitors over 12 years; free for children 12 and under. Payment is via the SIMplifica portal.

⭐ 4.6 / 5 from 1,719 hiker reviews on AllTrails — one of the highest-rated walks on the island.

Directions to the trailhead ↗

The walk

The trail begins at the Rabaçal leisure area, where there is a car park (arrive early to avoid congestion). You follow the Levada do Alecrim along the irrigation channel, winding through lush laurel forest (part of the Madeira Natural Park / Laurisilva UNESCO World Heritage zone). Along the way you'll pass small waterfalls and natural pools, eventually reaching the spring source — the Lagoa Dona Beja, a tranquil forest lagoon fed by crystal-clear spring water.

The return is along the same path, so you get to enjoy the views in both directions. The relatively gentle gradient (only ~80 m of altitude variation) and short distance make this an accessible choice for most walkers, though the path can be muddy after rain.

Extended routes (community)

Several popular longer routes on AllTrails combine Levada do Alecrim with neighbouring trails. Note: these are community-mapped routes — not official IFCN PR trails — so they have no official open/closed status or maintenance guarantee:

  • PR 6.2 – Lagoa do Vento Trail – Alecrim Levada — 6.9 km loop, moderate, ~2.5–3 hr, continues past Dona Beja to the stunning Lagoa do Vento waterfall pool. ★ 4.6 (1,719 reviews) (AllTrails ↗)
  • Levada do Risco – Cascata das 25 Fontes – Levada do Alecrim — 12.7 km loop, hard, ~5.5–6 hr, combines all three Rabaçal classics. ★ 4.7 (478 reviews) (AllTrails ↗)
  • Levada do Alecrim – Pico da Urze Dam — 10.5 km out-and-back, moderate, ~3–3.5 hr, extends to the dam. ★ 4.5 (175 reviews) (AllTrails ↗)

📸 Photos from walkmeguide.com

Before you go: check the current trail status on OpenMadeira — conditions can change, especially after heavy rain. Would you like me to check the mountain weather forecast and any IPMA warnings for the day you're planning to go?

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