Things to do at the Levada das 25 Fontes

The Levada das 25 Fontes and the Levada do Risco are the two walks everyone means when they say Rabaçal, a plateau on the west side of the central mountains reached in around 45 minutes by car from Funchal. The access road down to the Rabaçal parking area is closed to private cars, so a shuttle runs visitors the final stretch for a few euros each way.

2 kilometres each way to the 25 Fontes pools, on a narrow, mostly level path with no barrier above the drop in places, and closer to two hours round trip with stops for photographs. This is an official PR trail, so it is not free: expect to pay around 3 euros per person, booked online before you set out.

Water is highest, and the waterfall behind the pools fullest, after winter and spring rain; by late summer both can thin considerably.