25 Fontes and Cascada da Risco, Madeira: Address, 25 Fontes and Cascada da Risco Reviews: 4.5/5
25 Fontes and Cascada da Risco
25 Fontes and Cascada da Risco
4.5
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Top ways to experience 25 Fontes and Cascada da Risco
The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
5 within 3 miles
Rabacal Nature Spot Cafe
148
0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • Cafe • International • European
Jungle Rain Café
87
1.2 mi$$ - $$$ • International • Portuguese
Requinte do Rochao - Restaurante
142
2.6 mi$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • European • Portuguese
Calheta Green
19
2.6 mi$ • European • Portuguese
Churrascaria Cancela
6
2.5 miEuropean • Portuguese
Attractions
3 within 3 miles
Contribute
Popular mentions
4.5
1,005 reviews
Excellent
528
Very good
343
Average
101
Poor
23
Terrible
10
Jasmine38Chichester UK
Chichester, UK1,575 contributions
Great hikes
Sep 2021 • Couples
The Rabacal area is definitely worth a visit although it's very popular so don't expect to be hiking in solitude and it's a real pain when you get stuck behind a group on the nartow levada paths!
The drive up from Funchal is pretty steep and takes about an hour (rather quicker 45 mins back down). Reasonable amount of car parking but toilets only available by the cafe.
All the trails are well signposted so you really don't need a guide. Expect the temperature to be around 8 degrees cooler than the coast.
Most of the trails are pretty easy and vertigo free although there are plenty of steps. We walked for around 4.5 hours total, covering 12 miles and took in 25 Fontes, Risco and Lagos da Vento. The Risco waterfall is the most impressive and the shortest trail if you are time limited.
There is a very nice cafe with sandwiches, great cake and coffee options as well as some hot dishes. If you don't want to walk down (or back up both around 30 mins) there is a minibus service for 3 euro or 5 euro return.
Good day out to experience the Madeira mountains.
The drive up from Funchal is pretty steep and takes about an hour (rather quicker 45 mins back down). Reasonable amount of car parking but toilets only available by the cafe.
All the trails are well signposted so you really don't need a guide. Expect the temperature to be around 8 degrees cooler than the coast.
Most of the trails are pretty easy and vertigo free although there are plenty of steps. We walked for around 4.5 hours total, covering 12 miles and took in 25 Fontes, Risco and Lagos da Vento. The Risco waterfall is the most impressive and the shortest trail if you are time limited.
There is a very nice cafe with sandwiches, great cake and coffee options as well as some hot dishes. If you don't want to walk down (or back up both around 30 mins) there is a minibus service for 3 euro or 5 euro return.
Good day out to experience the Madeira mountains.
Written September 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Renobi
Vilnius, Lithuania266 contributions
Col Waterfalls
Aug 2021
This walk is worth it, as the end view is excellent and wonderful and the coolness of the water is a nice extra treat.
Written September 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Romana M
7 contributions
Beautiful big fall Risco, okey 25 fontes
Aug 2021 • Couples
Risco is Much more beautiful and bigger falls than 25 Fontes. Dont skip Risco.
25 fontes are overrated, the falls are quite small and you have avoid people all the time on the way. Risco falls is much bigger, more beautiful and with less people.
I recommend to buy the 3€ van driving you forth and back from the parking.
25 fontes are overrated, the falls are quite small and you have avoid people all the time on the way. Risco falls is much bigger, more beautiful and with less people.
I recommend to buy the 3€ van driving you forth and back from the parking.
Written August 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Zsuzsa B
Targu Secuiesc, Romania23 contributions
Excellent
Jul 2021 • Friends
I am not really a nature lover, I prefer the seaside/beach, but I am really happy I saw this place. We rented a car for 95 €/ day and spent the day here. Lot to go, but worth every second. Risco is nice, same as the levadas. Do not miss them
Written July 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
KestasKS
Vilnius, Lithuania2,600 contributions
Nice waterfalls
Jun 2021 • Family
Easy walk, around an hour or so. Nice lagoon at the end of walk. It brings to the start of one of the levadas. Quite a lot of visitors.
Written July 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
stephenlN592AS
United Kingdom18 contributions
A good walk for a few hours with stunning views
Jul 2021
A great walk for a few hours - this is listed as moderate, but we were dropped off at one end and picked up at the other rather than doing it as a circular route, and the only bit that wasn't downhill were the steps back up from the main waterfall, where we had stopped for lunch.
It's a bit uneven in places (as you'd expect - it is up a mountain!) - I only mention this as it probably wouldn't be suitable for anyone unsteady on their feet. One or two places are quite high with fairly steep drops, but if you stay the other side of the path it should be ok for those who don't like heights - for those that do this gives some stunning views!
It's a bit uneven in places (as you'd expect - it is up a mountain!) - I only mention this as it probably wouldn't be suitable for anyone unsteady on their feet. One or two places are quite high with fairly steep drops, but if you stay the other side of the path it should be ok for those who don't like heights - for those that do this gives some stunning views!
Written July 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Tadas D
Kaunas, Lithuania67 contributions
Easy nice very calm and refreshing
Jun 2021 • Family
The best for regular levada trips. It is easy and it is very nice ir has one of the best levadas to go for all kind of travels fines levels
Written July 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Katerina V
Prague, Czech Republic51 contributions
Beautiful trek definitely worth the visit
Jun 2021 • Friends
Very pleasant trek. We went from parking at Rabacal to 25 fontes first and then to Risco. The way is nice and easy to moderate, marked well in most places, only the climb back from casa Rabaçal to the parking is a bit strenuous. The waterfalls are very beautiful and definitelly worth the visit. We also had tasty snack at casa Rabaçal in the company of funny little birds.
Written June 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Erika
Caracas, Venezuela9,173 contributions
Go very early
Mar 2021
As all in Madeira, there is a lot of cement. I lost a bit the sense of being in nature because almost all paths were done with cement. Go very early in the morning to avoid the large groups of tourists.
Written March 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Melissa
South Africa31 contributions
Experience of a life time
Feb 2020 • Couples
One of the most beautiful and memorable hiking trails I've done. The vegetation among us is green and the actual 25 waterfalls are with the walk.
Written January 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
The name of the 800m tunnel at the end of the hike
Kevin W
Birmingham, UK324 contributions
Not sure but it’s ok to walk through and the mountain guide may suggest a coffee house on the way out.
is there a bus to the beginning of the fountain tour?
barabull
Reykjavik, Iceland42 contributions
There is a bus to the car park from various villages. Then there is a mini shuttle bus from the car park to the start of the walk. It goes every 30 min and cost around 3 Euros.
J_Elisabet
9 contributions
Is there any way to get there by Public transportation from Funchal and back?
Emily D
Exeter, UK59 contributions
We will be travelling with a 14 month old, is this a suitable walk to have her in a baby carrier? And how strenuous is the walk? If it's not suitable, could anyone recommend anything similar? We will have our own car. Thanks :)
coh8
Glasgow, UK864 contributions
Hi Emily
We took our son on a combined tour (25 fountains and Rabacal) in May - same age and with a baby carrier back then. Reasonable walk enjoyed in good weather - not one for a buggy.
If you plan returning to the original car park, be prepared for a descent and ascent with some steep and slippery steps (to and from the 25 fountains). As these are quite popular walks, some patience may be required for photos or stops with your little one.
Richardsonfamily99
Bedford, UK28 contributions
Is this walk fairly easy to find by car and walk without a guide ie well signposted and how long should we leave to walk down and then back to the car?
Ronja_AufReisen
Dresden, Germany51 contributions
Yes, driving along the ER110 you will see a parking area and a big sign with the hiking map. There'll probably be a lot of cars there.
You really can't get lost - there is no need for a guide.
We walked all three paths available (25 fontes, risco and calheta (tunnel!)) and it took us about 5 hours including breaks.
domin281
Alnwick, Wielka Brytania168 contributions
jak tam dojechac autem? co wpisac w nawigacji jaki adres?
How to get there by car? what adres should i put in my navigation????
Maurice B
Berlin, Germany554 contributions
Napisaliśmy po prostu " Rabaçal".
parking znajdziesz po prawiej stronie ulicy naprzeciwko żółtej wyżiczki i zbiorniku na wodę. Mam nadzieję że to pomoże.
Napoleão P
Lisbon, Portugal465 contributions
Tenho deparado com informações contraditórias no tempo e nos kms a serem feito, alguém podia me informar qual o tempo fazendo o percurso ida evolta?
