PR6 Madeira – How To Hike 25 Fontes & Levada do Risco
PR6 Madeira: Think dense greenery, mossy trees, and multiple waterfalls. These are just 3 of the reasons why you can’t miss this levada walk in Madeira. It might be the most popular levada hike on the island, and we have a secret for you…
Instead of battling for a place to park where most folks do, we recommend parking just down the hill from the main parking areas and taking the super long tunnel, PR6.6 – Vereda do Túnel do Cavalo, which will link you right up to the trails. It’s perfect, and so fun and unique.
Along this route, you’ll visit 25 Fontes, the Risco Waterfall, and the Rabaçal Nature Spot Cafe. Find out how to plan your day below.
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Things to Know
🥾 All classified hiking trails, including the PR6, PR6.1, and PR6.6 trails on Madeira, now require reservations and payment through the SIMplficia Portal. Reserve your time and pay your fees right on the portal. Check the status of the trail you want to hike here to make sure it’s open.
- This is one of the busiest trails on Madeira, so be sure to get to the trailhead early if you can. As we mentioned, park in our secret spot, which we’ll discuss below. This could potentially help with parking issues.
- There is plenty of shade on this trail, but it’s best to still bring some sunscreen and plenty of water.
- There are restroom facilities at the parking area where we parked, and they were free.
- If you plan to visit the Rabaçal Nature Spot Cafe, bring some cash. They also have restrooms at this location, which likely require coins as well.
- There are multiple other trails in the Rabaçal area, so if you choose to do some other ones, please be sure to visit the SIMplficia Portal to pay and reserve a time slot.
🌸 If you are planning on spending more time on Madeira, check out our full 9-day itinerary with the best hikes and things to do on the island!
Webcams In Madeira
It’s worth getting into the habit of checking the live webcams each morning before locking in your plans. A quick glance can save you from setting out on a hike or heading to a viewpoint, only to be met with clouds, rain, or poor visibility.
That said, there’s something undeniably magical about doing this hike in the rain, fog, or mist. The greenery feels even more alive, and the atmosphere takes on a quiet, almost otherworldly charm.
During our hike here, it was very cloudy, misty, and super cool! This hike is better when the weather is moody.
PR6 Madeira – Vereda do Túnel do Cavalo, Levada das 25 Fontes, and Levada do Risco
Okay, okay…this hike can get a bit confusing, so let’s break it down here before we begin. The entire loop hike includes:
- PR6.6 – Vereda do Túnel do Cavalo: This is the hike through the long tunnel, and where you begin your hiking loop.
- PR6 – Levada das 25 Fontes: Once you reach the end of the tunnel, the Levada das 25 Fontes trail begins directly on your left.
- PR6.1 – Levada do Risco: After visiting 25 Fontes waterfall, you’ll link up to this trail before visiting the Rabaçal Nature Spot Cafe and retrace your steps through the Túnel do Cavalo.
Round-trip, this hike is about 6-7 miles. The elevation gain on this hike is fairly steady with some steep uphill and downhill sections. That being said, they are not overly strenuous, meaning most of the hike is fairly flat.
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Parking
Start at the “secret” parking area on ER211. Cross the road, but be careful. Then, follow the signs for PR6.6 and follow the trail to the tunnel. Before reaching the tunnel, you’ll walk along the utility roadway toward a small building.
Note that when we arrived at this spot in the early morning, we were able to find a spot to park with no issues. However, when we returned, it was very busy. There were tour group vans and buses here, and it was a bit hectic. It appeared that some of them park here while waiting for their guided tours to finish.
PR6.6 – Vereda do Túnel do Cavalo
In the tunnel, you will absolutely need a headlamp. A phone probably won’t cut it. Your feet may get wet as well, so keep that in mind. This tunnel is the longest tunnel that we went through on the island, at about 1 mile.
It was an interesting experience for sure! It’s very drippy, cold, and it gets super dark. When you are about halfway in, you can look to both sides for light and really not see anything. It was like being in a cave!
That said, if you are claustrophobic or you don’t like dark and damp spots, the tunnel may not be the route for you.
PR6 – Levada das 25 Fontes
After you reach the other end of the tunnel, you can hop right on PR6 on your left. This trail follows a levada under a canopy of trees that almost makes it feel as though you are walking in another tunnel.
Along this hike, you’ll also be treated to some excellent views of the Ribeira da Janela valley. After hiking for about 2 miles, you’ll reach the one-way section of the trail. Follow the signs for the one-way and enjoy the scenery. This helps with the congestion along the trail in the narrow sections along the levada.
We saw some hikers going the wrong way on the one-way section of the trail, and that made for a bit of a problem in some areas. Please don’t do this!
After hiking for about another mile, follow the signs to the left to visit the gorgeous 25 Fontes lagoon. Just after this first turn, there is another turn to the right. Just follow the signs and the crowds. You’ve made it!
This is such a cool spot with tons of small waterfalls cascading down the green walls of the cliff. Expect this area to be busy, and you likely will not be alone here. Enjoy your time and take it all in before retracing your steps back down to the main trail.
You’ll reach the one-way signs again, so be sure to follow the arrows. From here, you’ll climb up a steep area of the trail, which will take you back to the two-way trail.
From here, continue backtracking until you reach a very steep trail on your left at the 4-mile mark. This is the way to Levada do Risco and the Rabaçal Nature Spot Cafe. Climb up the stairs, and once you reach the top, take a left to visit the Risco waterfall.
If you want to skip this waterfall, take a right here to head to the Rabaçal Nature Spot Cafe. That being said, it’s worth a visit!
PR6.1 – Levada do Risco
This trail to the waterfall is mostly flat with a small uphill section. This is a short 0.6 miles one way to reach the end of this trail and the gorgeous waterfall.
After you have taken 39 photos of the same thing here, retrace your steps. When you reach the stairs you climbed up before, continue walking straight and follow the signs (and people!) to the Rabaçal Nature Spot Cafe.
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Rabaçal Nature Spot Cafe
Surrounded by Madeira’s dense green forest, the cafe is a natural stopping point after the hikes to Levada do Risco and 25 Fontes, offering a peaceful break before returning to your car.
The café keeps things simple but satisfying, with options like water, teas, and alcoholic beverages. You can also get fresh sandwiches, soups, quiches, and delicious homemade pastries. Expect a line for food, as this is a popular destination.
There’s a small indoor space along with outdoor seating in a garden terrace, plus a restroom. Speaking of, restrooms are free if you order. This is also a popular spot to watch the birds fly around, but please don’t feed them!
Return to Your Car
Alright! You have completed this great loop hike, and now it’s time to head back to the parking lot. From the Rabaçal Nature Spot Cafe, back track just a little bit to the round wooden sign on the side of the building.
To get there, when facing the building/cafe entrance, walk to the right of the building. Just past the wooden sign on the wall on your left, continue straight, down the steps, and follow the trail.
This gets a bit confusing, but if you are facing this circular sign, you will head to the right.
Then you’ll reach an intersection here with lots of signs. Continue on the trail straight and down the hill, following the switchbacks. Don’t turn right! Eventually, this will dump you right back on the Levada das 25 Fontes trail. At this point, turn left.
Follow this short section of trail that leads right back to the Túnel do Cavalo. You know what to do at this point. It’s time to get that headlamp back out and head through the dark. Enjoy the views at the other end of the tunnel.
In contrast to the cloudy and misty weather on our hike, it was bright and sunny on the other end of the tunnel. Typical Madeira!
Guided Levada das 25 Fontes Hike
Looking for someone else to do the planning, driving, and guide you on these super fun trails? Check out the tour options on Viator.
Don’t Forget Your Rental Car
If you want to make the most of your time on the island of Madeira, be sure to book a rental car and book it early. For the best rates, check the prices and options at DiscoverCars! You really can’t go wrong with DiscoverCars.
If there is one takeaway about rental cars in Madeira, make sure you get the smallest one that fits your party. Roads are narrow, and parking can be tough!
Where to Stay
Madeira has plenty of great hotels and rentals to choose from. We recommend picking one location on the island and using that as your home base. You can get anywhere on the island in about an hour or a bit more.
We chose the warm, scenic, and small town of Ponta do Sol as our home base, and we really loved our rental house! Some choose to stay in Funchal, which has tons of amenities.
Here are a few great places to stay in Ponta do Sol:
- A VRBO! If you are looking for your own place to stay on Madeira, check out the great rental options in Ponta do Sol or across the entire island of Madeira!
- 1905 Zino’s Palace – a beautifully restored pink palace in Ponta do Sol, offering an intimate boutique stay in a historic 19th-century building. With elegant rooms, ocean views, and a peaceful pool area, it blends Madeiran heritage with relaxed, modern comfort. Complete with a pool, an on-site restaurant, and a bar. Check it out now on Expedia or Booking.com.
- Enotel Sunset Bay – a relaxed 4-star hotel in Ponta do Sol, right by the Atlantic with stunning sunset views and easy access to a pebble beach. The property offers a heated pool, sauna, and restaurant serving local cuisine. Book right now on Expedia or Booking.com.
Final Thoughts
This hike was so much fun. We had no issues finding parking near the tunnel, and this was a great alternative spot to start the hike, as opposed to the super busy parking areas just up the hill.
We won’t lie, the tunnel was super long and very, very dark, but also a cool experience! We actually only passed a few other groups of people in the tunnel, so it was not very busy. If you plan to do the tunnel, we also recommend investing in some great waterproof shoes. The tunnel was very wet.
The waterfalls on this hike are really picturesque, and stopping for a quick snack at the cafe was the icing on the cake for this hike. In the US, you definitely can’t have an experience like this one, so be sure you put this hike at the top of your Madeira itinerary!
🛌🏽 Looking for a place to stay with an epic view and pool, too? Don’t forget to check out VRBO or Expedia to book your stay!
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