The PR6 levada is one of the most famous hikes in Madeira. You will pass the most beautiful nature during this hike and end at the amazing Risco waterfall. It is an easy hike. Still, you are about 3 hours on the way. All the information about the PR6 25 Fontes & Risco waterfall can be read below.
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Starting point of Levada de 25 fontes & Risco waterfall
At the parking lot, the PR6 hike already starts. From here you walk down (fairly steeply). You do this for 2 kilometers on a paved path, which is not very special. You can choose to travel this part by shuttle bus. The shuttle bus costs €3 for a one-way ticket or €5 for a round trip. The shuttle bus runs daily between 10:00 and 18:00. We did not find this necessary; the extra miles were just right for us.
Starting point of the trail
After walking steeply downhill for 2 kilometers, you will arrive at the Rabacal Nature Spot Café. You can choose to enjoy a drink or a meal here. We did this only on the way back. You can make a toilet stop here for €0.50. So from here the levada walk really begins. You walk from the café straight into the woods and you follow the levada the whole time.
Soon you come to a fork where you can turn off to the Risco waterfall. The route to the Risco waterfall is officially the 6.1 route. From the junction walk 800 meters until you reach the waterfall. The water plunges as much as 100 meters down at the Risco waterfall!
Take your time to admire the waterfall and then walk back the same way until you reach the junction. You continue along the levada to the 25 Fontes. The trail gets more and more narrow but the views remain stunning. Eventually you arrive at the highlight: the 25 Fontes. 25 waterfalls simultaneously cascade down the dense rock walls. Sit here quietly to eat something or even swim if you want. After this, continue your way back to the café and then to the parking lot.
The total route of the PR 6 25 Fontes & Risco waterfall is 11 kilometers long. You then walk down from the parking lot yourself and do not use the shuttle bus. In total, this will take you around 3 hours. Of course, if you want to rest a little longer and sit at the cafe, it takes a little longer.
Tip: more inspiration for your Madeira vacation? Then also read our 2-week itinerary through Madeira.
Additional tips for the PR6 25 fontes & risco waterfall
- Preferably start before 10:00. After 10:00 most tourists arrive and then the hike can get very crowded. If you want to have the beautiful spots to yourself you will have to start the hike early.
- Bring a rain jacket just to be sure. The weather in Madeira can turn quickly, in which case it is nice to have rain gear with you. We ourselves always carry a rain jacket with us and we really like it!
- Bring plenty of food and drink yourself. You can get something to eat and drink at the café but of course the prices here are quite high. Make sure you carry plenty of water yourself, especially in the summer.
Can’t get enough of the beautiful hikes in Madeira? Then also read our tips on the magical PR1 hike from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo or the extraordinary PR8 hike Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço.
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