PR 6 – Levada das 25 Fontes
The Most Famous Levada in Madeira
Distance
11 km (Total)
Duration
3.5h – 4h
Difficulty
Moderate
Status
✅ OPEN
🕐 Best Time to Visit
💡 Pro Tip: The path is very narrow. Between 11:00 and 13:00, it becomes a “traffic jam” of hikers. Start at 8:30 AM to enjoy the lagoon in peace.
⚠️ Technical Difficulty Rating
Why Hike Levada das 25 Fontes?
The PR 6 – Levada das 25 Fontes is the postcard image of Madeira. It takes you deep into the Rabaçal Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The goal is a magical lagoon fed by 25 natural springs (fontes) cascading down a mossy wall into a crystal-clear blue pool. The walk itself passes through tunnels of heather and blueberry bushes (Uveira).
Trail Map
From Rabaçal Forestry House to the 25 Fontes Lagoon.
Step-by-Step Guide
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1
Parking & Shuttle (Start)
Park at the top (ER 105). We strongly recommend taking the Shuttle Bus down to the Forestry House to save your knees for the actual hike.
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2
Forestry House (The Hub)
From the cafe, follow signs for PR 6. You will descend a long, steep stone staircase into the valley floor.
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3
The Levada Walk
Once you hit the water channel, the path flattens out. It is narrow! You must stop to let oncoming hikers pass.
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4
25 Fontes Lagoon (Finish)
The trail ends at a small rock amphitheater. 25 springs weep from the walls into a beautiful pool. Swimming is very cold but refreshing!
📸 Best Photo Spots
The main event. Use a long exposure (on phone or camera) to turn the trickling waterfalls into silky smooth streams.
Near the start of the levada, there is a small stone bridge over the Ribeira da Janela river. Great jungle vibes.
Parts of the path are completely covered by tree canopy, creating a natural tunnel of light and shadow.
Facilities & Amenities
How to Get There
Head to **Paúl da Serra** plateau. Look for the large parking lot marked “Rabaçal” on road ER 105.
🛑 Parking Chaos
Arrive before 9:30 AM. After this, cars park along the road for kilometers. Be careful walking on the road to the shuttle stop.
The Driver’s Perspective
🚘 Plateau Driving
Straight roads, but watch for cows!
Our Rental Recommendation: Driving to Rabaçal is easy on the engine but hard on parking. A **Compact Car** is highly recommended to squeeze into tight roadside spots when the main lot is full. This is Madeira Island has compacts perfect for this.
Essential Gear
- Cash (Coins/Notes): The shuttle bus and toilets rarely work with cards.
- Rain Jacket: Rabaçal is a “cloud trap.” It rains here even when the sun shines in Calheta.
- Shoes with Grip: The rocks near the waterfall are permanently wet and slippery.
🍹 After the Hike: Where to Eat?
Rabaçal Nature Spot Cafe
Located at the trailhead (Forestry House). It is the perfect place to wait for the shuttle bus back up. Their Cheesecake and Soup of the Day are surprisingly good for a remote location.
