25 Fontes and Cascada da Risco
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Top ways to experience 25 Fontes and Cascada da Risco
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,037 reviews
Excellent
549
Very good
347
Average
106
Poor
25
Terrible
10
Jimmgc51
Leeds, UK42 contributions
May 2022
Beautiful scenery and experience walking alongside the water. Strongly recommend going first thing in the morning to avoid tour groups as the paths are narrow and getting past a big group can take a long time - we only got caught in one. The minibus wasn't running when we were there - we would have caught it back as the walk back to the car park is pretty monotonous, and gets harder in the heat. Overall really worth an early morning visit - the car park as well has a lot of spaces in the mornings but you'll have to slot onto the road later in the day. The cafe was a nice break and does tasty coffee
Written June 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jasmine38Chichester UK
Chichester, UK1,755 contributions
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. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Janoek B
Tholen, The Netherlands62 contributions
Sep 2020 • Couples
The 25 fontes hike and the hike to the cascada da Risco are two different hiking trails. You can combine them very easily as they are linked together.
Go very early in the morning here. Then you have the trail to yourself, including the waterfalls. And it's not that hot yet. After 11AM the day tourist will come and the trail will get more crowded, especially in the summer.
This hiking trail you can easily do yourself. There is a parking space at the start of the hiking trail.
Go very early in the morning here. Then you have the trail to yourself, including the waterfalls. And it's not that hot yet. After 11AM the day tourist will come and the trail will get more crowded, especially in the summer.
This hiking trail you can easily do yourself. There is a parking space at the start of the hiking trail.
Written September 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Vincent R.
Amersfoort, The Netherlands588 contributions
May 2022
Levada do Risco is the reward for walking down PR6.1 route and ending at the waterfall. The route towards the waterfall is steep at places, you'll notice this especially when walking back to the parking. You can use a van instead for the first part of the descent (and back).
Written June 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Romana M
7 contributions
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. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Inwanderment
Burntwood, UK1,698 contributions
Nov 2021
A really beautiful walk although popular so start early. When we arrived there was no one around at all and we were feeding the birds from our hands just a few minutes down the path - take bird seed :-)
The walk down to the actual walk (down the road from the parking spot) is pretty long and when you hit the Rabacal House which is closed before 9/10am the actual walk starts. A very easy few km to Risco waterfall which is stunning but sadly did not have much water yet as theyd had a dry spell but very friendly birds there again to feed!
Then you go back on yourself and walk down a number of steps towards 25 Fontes which is a canyon with 25 springs running down the walls. It was pretty but the number of people took away from it in our experience as lots of tours come here - it was super busy even in November so goodness knows what its like in peak season.
An easy walk for the most part but about 600m of ascent and descent if you take the road up and down. I would advise you take the bus back up the road when you get back to Rabacal house, we chose not to, I do not know why but it was a hard walk back up in the heat and nothing to see as its just a tarmacked road but once we committed we just did it. Next time we would get the bus back up though.
The cafe is nice and has toilets and nice food, cakes and drinks, a welcome treat after the walk.
The walk down to the actual walk (down the road from the parking spot) is pretty long and when you hit the Rabacal House which is closed before 9/10am the actual walk starts. A very easy few km to Risco waterfall which is stunning but sadly did not have much water yet as theyd had a dry spell but very friendly birds there again to feed!
Then you go back on yourself and walk down a number of steps towards 25 Fontes which is a canyon with 25 springs running down the walls. It was pretty but the number of people took away from it in our experience as lots of tours come here - it was super busy even in November so goodness knows what its like in peak season.
An easy walk for the most part but about 600m of ascent and descent if you take the road up and down. I would advise you take the bus back up the road when you get back to Rabacal house, we chose not to, I do not know why but it was a hard walk back up in the heat and nothing to see as its just a tarmacked road but once we committed we just did it. Next time we would get the bus back up though.
The cafe is nice and has toilets and nice food, cakes and drinks, a welcome treat after the walk.
Written November 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tom Carter
428 contributions
Jan 2022 • Couples
Our new year’s hike. Very much worth every step of the way. You might want to come early, parking could get tricky around noon. Plan enough time for the way back as it is mostly uphill.
Written January 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Emily
Lillehammer, Norway13 contributions
Jan 2020
Easy and leisurely walk where you can enjoy nice scenery. I went on a guided tour, and there was a lot of breaks where the group got to learn a lot about the history of the Levadas and different species we passed along the way. It was quite interesting, and nice to share the experience with other random travelers from around the world. The highlight of this walk was the surprisingly beautiful waterfall, where we had our lunch. I would have stayed here longer if I could, but since this was a guided tour we had to move on after halv an hour. If you want to walk fast without breaks, or enjoy the waterfalls as long as you want, I recommend walking by yourself. Bring food and good clothes, it was pretty cold to walk there at this time of year.
Written February 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
gurnee66 .
Alpharetta, GA9 contributions
Jan 2022
Excellent trail. Make sure you use the mini bus, which takes you from the parking to the trail head. It's the best 5 Euros (round trip cost) we ever spent. It saves you at least one hour viewless walk.
The 25 Fontes trail is easy to moderate with some climbs of stairs. You can combine 25 Fontes and Risco into one hike so you see both the upper and lower falls. Risco is very easy, which takes you only 15 extra minutes at the intersection after your way back from 25 Fontes.
The Levada is admirable work by ancient Madeirans. Walking along it is quite an enjoyment with soothing water sound and lavish greeneries. If you can only do one Levada, do this trail.
The 25 Fontes trail is easy to moderate with some climbs of stairs. You can combine 25 Fontes and Risco into one hike so you see both the upper and lower falls. Risco is very easy, which takes you only 15 extra minutes at the intersection after your way back from 25 Fontes.
The Levada is admirable work by ancient Madeirans. Walking along it is quite an enjoyment with soothing water sound and lavish greeneries. If you can only do one Levada, do this trail.
Written January 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
77cjk
Allentown, PA143 contributions
May 2022 • Family
Our first hike in Madeira. Parking can be challenging as it can get busy. There is a shuttle that you can take down (and up) to/from the Rabacal house that is quite steep, but a paved path. Make sure you have a mask if you plan on using the shuttle. The complete hike without shuttle for us (2 adults and 2 kids - ages 14/12) took just under 4 hours. Very nice and would recommend highly.
Written May 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
The name of the 800m tunnel at the end of the hike
Kevin W
Birmingham, UK359 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, Iceland46 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, UK63 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, UK868 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, UK31 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?
25 Fontes and Cascada da Risco (Madeira) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about 25 Fontes and Cascada da Risco
- We recommend booking 25 Fontes and Cascada da Risco tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 16 25 Fontes and Cascada da Risco tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience 25 Fontes and Cascada da Risco:
- "25 Fountains" Walk / Lost In The Beautiful Forest (From $47.44)
- Rabaçal / 25 Fonts (From $39.01)
- Skywalk & Rabacal "25 Fountains Levada Walk" in 4X4 Full Day Tour (From $51.66)
- Walk 25 Fonts - No words needed (From $41.12)
- Rabaçal 25 Fontes Levada Walk in Small Groups (From $47.44)
- Hotels near 25 Fontes and Cascada da Risco:
- (3.97 mi) Atrio
- (4.25 mi) Socalco Nature
- (4.20 mi) Saccharum
- (7.40 mi) Aqua Natura Bay
- (7.60 mi) Aqua Natura Madeira Hotel
- Restaurants near 25 Fontes and Cascada da Risco:
- (0.61 mi) Rabacal Nature Spot Cafe
- (4.22 mi) Restaurante Beira Mar
- (5.86 mi) The Beach Bar Paul Do Mar
- (4.62 mi) Restaurante Chico Tradicional
- (4.19 mi) Restaurante Lilinha