Rabaçal – Levada das 25 Fontes

The best part of this day is the contrast between Madeira’s high, open country and the close, shaded levada paths leading to waterfalls and pools. The route links the PR6 25 Fontes hike with Levada do Risco, giving you a long walk through some of the island’s most striking natural scenery.

I like two things in particular: the small group, capped at eight, and the chance to learn about local trees and birds as you walk. Hotel pickup from Funchal also saves you the trouble of arranging transport to a trailhead.

The main consideration is the effort. The walk is about 12 kilometres, takes roughly four hours on foot and includes hills and many steps. There is also an 800-metre tunnel that can be flooded and is completely dark, so bring sturdy shoes and a torch or phone light.

The details that matter

• Two routes in one outing: The day combines the PR6 25 Fontes hike and Levada do Risco.
• A long walk: Plan for roughly 12 kilometres and about four hours on foot, with hills and plenty of steps.
• A dark tunnel: The route includes an 800-metre tunnel. It can be flooded, and you will need your own light.
• Small group, local detail: The group is limited to eight. Guides including Suzanne and Yuliya have shared information about local trees, birds and the area.
• Plan for the extra cost: The $55.60 price does not include lunch or the €4.50-per-person trail fee, payable on the day.
• Pickup from Funchal: The air-conditioned vehicle collects from hotels in Funchal and nearby areas, starting at 8:00 am.

A full day from Funchal to the highlands

The tour begins at 8:00 am, with pickup offered from hotels in Funchal and the surrounding area. If you are staying elsewhere, the stated meeting point is the CR7 Museum at Praça CR7. Tell the operator where you are staying so pickup arrangements can be made.

The drive out is part of the practical appeal. Madeira’s walking routes are not all easy to reach from the city, and a ride in an air-conditioned vehicle means you do not have to sort out your own transport to the start. The experience lasts about eight hours in total, while the walk itself is described as roughly four hours. The rest of the day allows for the drive and time around the route.

The maximum group size is eight, a useful limit on a walk with steps and a dark tunnel. A smaller group can make it easier to keep a steady pace and hear the guide, though you should still be ready to walk at the pace of the group rather than set your own schedule.

PR6 and Levada do Risco: waterfalls, pools and walking paths

The main stop combines the PR6 25 Fontes hike with Levada do Risco. The route is known for its waterfalls, fountains and lagoons, with the levada paths bringing you close to Madeira’s water and forest scenery. This is not a sightseeing stop where you step out, take a quick photo and climb back into the van. You spend much of the day on foot.

The walk is around 12 kilometres and takes about four hours, according to the experience details. Expect a hilly route with many steps, including long descents. That makes the outing a better fit for someone with moderate fitness than for a casual stroll. If stairs or sustained walking are hard for you, consider that carefully before booking.

The route’s natural appeal comes with a bit of grit. The trail can be wet, and the tunnel may be flooded. Shoes with a good grip are a sensible choice; light sandals or smooth-soled trainers are poor bets for uneven, damp walking. You will also want a torch or a phone with a charged light function for the tunnel. It is about 800 metres long and completely dark, so do not count on daylight to guide you through.

The reward is the changing scenery: water features, green surroundings and the high-country air that makes this a different side of Madeira from Funchal’s streets. You are spending time in one of the island’s taller areas, where the natural setting is the main event. Bring a layer as well. The altitude can make the walk feel cool, especially in March, even if the city below feels mild.

What a guide adds to the walk

You can walk many trails independently, but a guide gives this route more context than a trail marker alone. Guides Suzanne and Yuliya have led this outing, sharing local knowledge and pointing out trees and birds. Their approach has included setting a suitable pace for the group and keeping the walk light-hearted.

A guide is especially useful when the path is busy or the route has sections that require attention. You can focus on your footing and the scenery rather than trying to manage every detail yourself. A guide also makes it easier to learn something about the natural surroundings as you go, instead of treating the day as a long march between viewpoints.

The experience is offered in English. You should not assume that a particular guide will lead your departure, but you can expect a guided walk rather than a self-guided transfer to the trail.

Fitness, steps and the tunnel

The stated fitness level is moderate, and that is a fair starting point. The walk covers about 12 kilometres, with hills and many steps. You do not need to be an athlete, but you should be comfortable with a sustained four-hour walk and repeated changes in elevation.

The tunnel deserves special attention in your planning. At roughly 800 metres, it is long enough that a phone light is not a fussy extra. Bring a torch if you have one, or make sure your phone is charged before setting out. Since the tunnel can be flooded, protect anything that should stay dry and use footwear that can handle wet conditions.

I would also pack water, a small snack and a light rain layer. Those are practical walking basics, not extras supplied by the tour. A pack lunch is worth considering too, since lunch is not included and the day lasts around eight hours. The provided details do not specify a lunch stop or food options, so bringing something gives you more control.

Cost, trail fee and what you get

At $55.60 per person, the tour includes transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, hotel pickup in Funchal and nearby areas, and a guided walk for a group of no more than eight. That is useful value if you want transport and a guide handled together, rather than arranging the trail access yourself.

There are two extra costs to account for. Lunch is not included, and from January 1, 2025, a €4.50 fee per person applies to official RP hiking trails. The fee supports waste collection and cleaning of classified pedestrian trails, and it is paid on the day at the walk location. It is not part of the tour price.

That means you should compare the headline price with the full day’s cost, including the trail fee and whatever you bring or buy for lunch. For a small-group outing with transport from Funchal, the included services are meaningful. If you already have a car and prefer hiking alone, the guided transport package may be less valuable to you.

Timing, pickup and cancellation

The advertised start is 8:00 am, and pickup begins then. Hotel transfers are available in Funchal and surrounding areas. If you are not using a hotel pickup, meet at the CR7 Museum, Praça CR7, Avenida Sá Carneiro 27. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

The tour lasts about eight hours overall, so keep the day open. Confirmation is provided at booking. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time; after that, the stated policy does not offer a refund, and changes made inside that window are not accepted. If the minimum number of participants is not met, the operator may offer another date or experience, or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this Madeira hike

This is a strong choice if you want a guided day outdoors, enjoy waterfalls and levada scenery, and can manage several hours of walking. It also suits visitors who would rather have a ride from Funchal than plan their own transport. The small group and the guide’s nature commentary add value if you like learning as you walk.

It is less suitable if you are looking for an easy nature outing, dislike stairs, or want to decide your own pace and route. The tunnel and potentially flooded conditions also require a little preparation. Go with proper footwear, a light, warm layer and lunch, and the day is likely to feel far more comfortable.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if a long, hilly walk is part of the appeal, not a hurdle you hope to ignore. The combination of PR6 and Levada do Risco, a small group, and Funchal pickup makes for a practical way to see Madeira’s high-country waterfalls and pools.

Skip it if you want a gentle outing or do not want to handle steps, wet sections and a dark tunnel. Before you go, set aside the €4.50 trail fee, pack a light and lunch, and wear shoes made for a demanding walk.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The full experience lasts about eight hours. The walk itself takes roughly four hours.

How long is the walk?

The route is about 12 kilometres, with hills and many steps.

Which trails are included?

The stop combines the PR6 25 Fontes hike and Levada do Risco.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, so you may want to bring a pack lunch.

Is there an extra trail fee?

Yes. A €4.50-per-person fee applies from January 1, 2025, and is paid at the walk location on the day. It is not included in the tour price.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is offered from hotels in Funchal and surrounding areas, starting at 8:00 am. The meeting point is the CR7 Museum, Praça CR7, Avenida Sá Carneiro 27.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel for a full refund at least 24 hours before the start time. The stated policy does not refund cancellations made less than 24 hours before the experience.