Levada das 25 Fontes
Walk through Rabaçal's laurisilva to a lagoon fed by 25 springs. One of the most popular routes — go early.
About Levada das 25 Fontes
Levada das 25 Fontes sits in the south-west, where the laurisilva spills toward the coast and is a moderately demanding hike — good fitness helps but no technical skills required. Over its 11 km point-to-point route, Levada das 25 Fontes climbs around 250 m of cumulative gain. Most walkers take between 4 and 5 hours, depending on pace and how often they stop for photos.
Bring more water than you think you need and pace yourself — the second half is where most people struggle. The route is part of Madeira's signed network of official PR ("Pequena Rota") trails, catalogued as PR6. The PR sign at the trailhead is your reassurance, not a promise — weather on the central ridge can shift inside an hour.
What to know before you go
- Wear proper hiking shoes with grip — basalt gets slippery when damp, and most levada paths have a drop on one side.
- Pack two litres of water per person — there are no refill points on the route — and a light fleece for the ridge wind.
- A small head torch is useful in case the route enters any tunnel section.
- Mid-morning is fine, but earlier starts mean clearer views and emptier paths.
- Check the official 'Estado dos Trilhos' status before you go — trails close after storms or rockfalls.
Best time to visit
May, June, September and early October combine long daylight, stable weather and lower trail traffic. Winter is fine for the lower levadas but unreliable on the high ridges.
Location
Calheta, Madeira · Open in OpenStreetMap · Google Maps
32.75430, -17.13314
GPX track
Download a GPX file for Levada das 25 Fontes to load into your watch, phone or GPS device. Always carry an offline map and follow the painted PR waymarks on the ground — GPX is a guide, not a substitute for navigation.
Download levada-das-25-fontes.gpxLoading route preview…
Preview only. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Conditions log
Dated, first-person notes from people who recently walked Levada das 25 Fontes. Machine-readable feed: /api/public/trail-conditions/levada-das-25-fontes.
No verified reports yet for this trail. We only publish entries we can stand behind — dated, first-person, and signed. If you've walked it in the last few weeks, use the form above and we'll add it here with credit.
Frequently asked
Do you need a permit for 25 Fontes?+
No permit, but parking at Rabaçal is limited and there is a paid shuttle from the road above.
Can you combine 25 Fontes with Risco?+
Yes — the Risco waterfall (PR6.1) branches off the same trailhead and adds about 90 minutes.
How long does the Levada das 25 Fontes hike take?+
Most hikers complete Levada das 25 Fontes in around 4 hours, though slower paces or photo stops can push it to 6 hours. The route is 11 km long with about 250 m of elevation gain.
Is Levada das 25 Fontes suitable for beginners?+
Levada das 25 Fontes is rated moderate. Beginners with reasonable fitness can complete it, but expect uneven ground, some exposed sections and a few hours on your feet.
Do I need a guide for Levada das 25 Fontes?+
No, Levada das 25 Fontes is a signed official trail and most fit hikers walk it independently. Local guides are widely available if you prefer transport, route certainty, or commentary on the landscape.
Nearby on Madeira
Other places within easy reach of Levada das 25 Fontes.