The levadas are Madeira’s signature: narrow irrigation channels cut along the mountainsides from the fifteenth century onwards to carry water from the wet north to the farms of the south, with maintenance paths beside them that now make some of the most rewarding walks in Europe. The Levada das 25 Fontes, the PR6, is the classic. It starts at Rabaçal, high on the edge of the Paul da Serra plateau, and follows the channel down through the laurisilva, the ancient laurel forest that covers the island’s steep valleys and is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Moss, ferns and dripping rock walls line the path, and it ends at a pool where water spills from the cliff in countless thin streams, the twenty-five springs of the name. From the same start, the short Levada do Risco, the PR6.1, leads to a tall waterfall dropping into a green cirque. Together they make the island’s best-loved half-day walk.
How it works: the PR6 runs 4.3 kilometres each way and the official estimate is about three hours, rated moderate. Visitors over twelve pay a modest fee through the SIMplifica portal, where registration in a timed slot is required in 2026, and children twelve and under go free. The walk starts at Rabaçal on the ER105 road across the plateau; parking is up on the main road and the access lane down to the Rabaçal rest house adds extra distance, so allow for it or use the minibus shuttle when it is running. The official page also notes that a normally one-way section is currently being walked in both directions.
What to expect: the path is mostly gentle but narrow, with steps, roots and muddy patches, and there are drops beside the channel in places. Short tunnels and low branches mean you should watch your head. It gets busy from mid-morning, so arrive early. The plateau is often cool and misty even when Funchal is sunny.
Making the most of it: start early, walk the Risco detour first while it is quiet, then continue to the 25 Fontes pool for a picnic. Bring a waterproof, sturdy shoes and water. Without a car, join a guided levada day trip from Funchal, which handles the long drive up to the plateau and back.
What to expect
The experience
A there-and-back walk beside an irrigation channel through UNESCO-listed laurel forest to a spring-fed pool, with an optional detour to the Risco waterfall.
Best time
An early start on a dry morning, before the tour groups reach Rabaçal.
How long
About three hours on the trail, plus the walk or shuttle from the road.
Tips
Register and pay on SIMplifica before you go, wear shoes with grip and carry a waterproof even if the coast is sunny.
Quick picks
- Best for
- First-time hikers who want the definitive levada walk without extreme exposure.
- Families
- School-age children usually manage it well and under-twelves pay no trail fee, but hold small hands near the channel edges.
- Couples
- Walk it early and share a picnic at the pool before the crowds arrive.
- Pair with
- The Porto Moniz lava pools and the Fanal forest, both within reach on the same side of the island.
- Time needed
- A half day, or most of a day from Funchal.
Good questions
Do you have to pay to walk the Levada das 25 Fontes?+
Yes, in 2026 non-resident visitors over twelve pay a modest trail fee through the SIMplifica portal. Registration in a time slot is part of the same booking.
How long is the Levada das 25 Fontes walk?+
It is 4.3 kilometres each way and the official estimate is about three hours. Add time for the Risco detour and the access lane from the road.
Is the walk difficult?+
It is rated moderate. The path is narrow and uneven in places, with steps and some drops beside the channel, but it is not technical.
Can you get to Rabaçal without a car?+
Public transport to the plateau is very limited. Most visitors without a car join a guided levada tour from Funchal.
What is the Levada do Risco?+
It is a short, easy trail from the same start that ends at a viewpoint facing the tall Risco waterfall. It combines easily with the 25 Fontes walk.
