25 Fountains Levada: Rabaçal Valley Hiking Tour with Waterfall

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.70 (203 reviews) 80% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/13

Duration7h

GroupUp to 15

LanguagesEN · DE +3

PickupAt your hotel

The return route cuts through a 500-meter tunnel carved into the mountainside, emerging on Madeira's south coast.

This seven-hour hiking tour descends from Paul da Serra into Rabaçal Valley, walking through the Laurissilva Forest—a UNESCO World Heritage site—with a local guide who explains the endemic plants and terrain. The route includes Risco Waterfall and a return passage through an ancient 500-meter tunnel. Transport from central Funchal and Caniço is included, along with insurance; the hike itself runs approximately four and a half hours and requires moderate fitness.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hiking through Laurisilva Forest and Rabaçal Valley

Start at Paul da Serra plateau
Hike through Laurisilva Forest
Visit Risco Waterfall
Walk through 500-meter ancient tunnel
End on south side of Madeira

The Experience

The day starts in Paul da Serra, the high plateau where the air shifts as you drop into Rabaçal Valley. Your guide walks you through the Laurissilva Forest, pointing out the endemic species that grow nowhere else on earth—this is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the guide's job is to tell you what you're standing in. The forest canopy closes overhead; the path narrows. Most tours in this valley stop at the levadas (the water channels), but this one continues to Risco Waterfall, where the water falls straight down the cliff face and the valley opens up around you.

The return is where the day turns. Instead of retracing the same ground, you walk through a 500-meter tunnel carved into the rock—ancient, narrow, the kind of passage that makes the scale of the place suddenly clear. When you emerge, you're on the south side of Madeira, a different coast entirely. The minivan collects you and drives back to Funchal, ending the tour on the other side of the island from where it began.

The hike runs about four and a half hours over uneven terrain; you'll need moderate fitness and a hearty breakfast beforehand. Bring your own water and snacks—there's no guarantee of food or drinks along the way, and the trail fee set by local authorities (for conservation and maintenance) is applied at the trailhead. The guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, French or one additional language, though your preferred language is not always guaranteed. Children from age eight are welcome. The tour runs rain or shine, provided it's safe to proceed.

What’s included

Local professional guide fluent in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French or another language.
transport by air-conditioned minivan from Funchal or Caniço.
insurance.
trail access through Rabaçal Valley, Laurissilva Forest and Risco Waterfall.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Madeira Adventure Kingdom

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to walk through a UNESCO forest and see a waterfall without arranging your own transport or navigation—the guide handles the route and the minivan collects you on the far side of the island. The tunnel return is the detail that sets it apart: most valley hikes retrace their steps, but this one emerges on the opposite coast.