25 Fountains Levada: Rabaçal Valley Hiking Tour with Waterfall

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.

Before you book

Lasts 7h, runs Friday and Sunday at 08:30, from € 48 per person, with live guides in 5 languages, in groups of up to 15 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesFriday and SundayDeparts at 08:30

AgesAdult (12 to 65 years) · Child (8 to 11 years) · Under 8: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on site€ 4.50

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with 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.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (8 to 11 years). Children under 8 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Laurissilva Forest and why is it part of this hike?

Laurissilva Forest is a UNESCO World Heritage site of endemic plants found nowhere else on earth. Your guide explains the forest as you walk through it, and the route passes directly through this protected woodland on the descent into Rabaçal Valley.

How long is the actual hiking part of this tour?

The hike itself is approximately four and a half hours, covering the descent from Paul da Serra through the valley, past Risco Waterfall, and the return through the 500-meter tunnel. The full tour is seven hours including transport and stops.

What happens in the tunnel on the way back?

The return route passes through a 500-meter ancient tunnel carved into the mountainside. When you emerge, you're on the south side of Madeira (a different coast from where you started), and the minivan collects you there for the drive back to Funchal.

Do I need to bring food and water, or can I buy them along the trail?

Bring your own water and snacks. While it might be possible to buy food and drinks before the hike starts, this is not guaranteed, and there are no vendors along the trail itself.

What fitness level do I need for this hike?

You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The tour involves four and a half hours of hiking over uneven terrain and is not suitable for travelers with severe health issues, limited mobility, spinal injuries, or poor cardiovascular health. It is also not recommended for pregnant travelers.

Is transport from my hotel included?

Transport is included from central Funchal and Caniço in an air-conditioned minivan. Pickup and return are part of the tour package.