Vertiginous cliffs, a Unesco-listed laurel forest and a 100m waterfall plunging into a misty cirque: Madeira’s Levada do Risco hike has it all. Nestled in the heart of the Rabaçal area, on the Paúl da Serra plateau, it is one of the island’s most emblematic itineraries. We loved this wildly beautiful trail.
Here are some useful tips for planning your Cascade do Risco hike in Madeira.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.
Tour summary and map
- Distance: approx. 3km round trip between Casa Rabaçal and the waterfall; approx. 8-10km round trip if combined with Levada das 25 Fontes, depending on your starting point.
- Duration: 2h walk, including breaks; 3h to 4h walk, including breaks, for the Risco + 25 Fontes circuit.
- Difficulty: easy to moderate. Significant gradient between the parking area on the plateau and the valley, with the path sometimes slippery.
- Difference in altitude: significant on descent and ascent between the parking lot and the Rabaçal valley.
- Reservation required and access fee: remember to reserve your 30min entry slot and pay the entry fee to access the trail here.
Here’s the map of the hike:
Is the Levada do Risco hike worth it? Our review
Yes, without hesitation! The walk to Cascade do Risco is one of the most beautiful we’ve done in Madeira. This hundred-meter waterfall, which crashes through a rocky cirque often shrouded in fog, is a breathtaking sight. The trail follows the Levada do Risco through a laurel forest listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site, a dense vegetation where mosses and ferns cover every rock. We were struck by the damp, almost mysterious atmosphere in this steep-sided valley. This is one of the most unspoilt landscapes on the island.
This is one of Madeira’s most beautiful levadas.
Our favorite moments:
- Crossing the laurel forest, a green setting with a fairytale feel.
- Arrive at the foot of the Cascade do Risco and discover its 100m drop.
- Views over the Rabaçal valley from elevated sections of the path.
For an easy way to discover the Levada do Risco, opt for a guided tour with transfer included! – see prices and book.
WHERE TO STAY IN Madeira
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What are the difficulties?
This hike is of very moderate difficulty. The main challenge lies in the gradient between the parking area on the ER110 plateau and the Rabaçal valley: the descent is steep, and you’ll have to climb it again on the way back. The ground is often slippery, covered with wet stones, roots and muddy soil, especially after rain. The path is sometimes narrow. In addition, the area is frequently exposed to fog, which can reduce visibility. Here’s what you need to know before you leave:
- The descent to the Rabaçal forest house and on to the Levada is the most physical part of the hike.
- The path along the Levada is relatively flat, but rocks and roots require constant attention.
- The path is shaded by the dense canopy of the laurel forest. Heat is not a problem, but coolness and humidity are present all year round.
- There are no tunnels on this route.
- Avoid heavy rain: the trail becomes particularly greasy and the risk of slipping increases.
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING YOUR CAR AT Madeira
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Take a car with a good engine for hilly roads, but not too big for manoeuvring.
- There’s plenty of demand and few cars, so book early.
Access to Levada do Risco hiking trail
Where to find Levada do Risco – map
- The hike is located in the Rabaçal area, on the Paúl da Serra plateau in central-western Madeira.
- From Funchal: approx. 50min drive.
- From Machico: approx. 1h drive.
- From Calheta: approx. 20min drive.
- From Ribeira Brava: approx. 40min drive.
- Here’s a map of the Levada das 25 Fontes, located at the same starting point, to help you find your way:
Access road by car
To reach the start of the hike, take the ER110 road which crosses the Paúl da Serra plateau. The parking lot is along this road, at the junction signposted Rabaçal. Mountain roads are narrow and winding: we advise you to drive carefully, especially in foggy conditions on the plateau.
Parking
The parking lot is located along the ER110 road. From here, a fee-paying shuttle bus runs the 2km from the parking lot to the Maison Forestière de Rabaçal, the official trailhead. The shuttle runs between 10am and 6pm, costing €3 each way or €5 return. It’s also possible to descend on foot, which adds a 4km round trip to your itinerary.
Access by public transport or organized transfer
It is not possible to reach the start of the hike directly by public transport. A practical solution is to opt for a guided excursion with transfer included from Funchal or the seaside resorts on the south coast.
Useful tips
How long
This itinerary is about 3km round trip and takes between 1h30 and 2h to do the Levada do Risco.
- If you set off from the parking lot on foot, add 2km (4km round trip) to reach the Rabaçal Forest House, where the trail starts.
- If you want to do the complete Risco + 25 Fontes circuit at a leisurely pace, allow between 3 and 5 hours.
Best moment
Since 2026, hikers have had to book their hiking slots online and pay trail access fees in advance via the SIMplifica platform. We advise you to book your slots as soon as your dates are set, as some trails fill up quickly in high season. Prioritize your hikes and then organize the rest of your stay around them. On the big day, make sure you arrive within the 30-minute time slot allotted to you, and keep the booking confirmation on your phone.
We recommend setting off early in the morning to enjoy the quiet of the trail before the groups arrive. Indeed, as hiking is one of the main activities on Madeira, the Levada do Risco is quite popular. The trail can be quite busy, which is not very pleasant. Especially in narrow passages. We decided to hike at dawn, so we had the first look at the path and the waterfalls. A quiet walk before the crowds and the heat arrive. You can also decide to walk at the end of the day, but make sure you come back before nightfall!
The Rabaçal area is accessible all year round, but conditions vary. In dense fog or heavy rain, the trail can become dangerous. Check the weather conditions before setting off, and avoid busy periods by opting for an early morning slot. Accessibility information for the trail can be found on the official website here.
The meaning of hiking
Hiking is a round trip, so there’s no sense in choosing. From the Maison Forestière de Rabaçal, two signposted trails lead towards the Levada do Risco on one side, and the Levada das 25 Fontes on the other. We recommend starting at Cascade do Risco, then continuing to 25 Fontes if you wish to combine the two itineraries. This way, you can visit the waterfall early, before the influx of hikers.
Hiking with children
This hike can be done with children, provided they are properly equipped and the pace is adapted. The path is sometimes narrow and slippery: they won’t be able to run freely. We recommend that you equip your youngest children with walking shoes with good grip and a windbreaker, as the Rabaçal area is cool and damp all year round. Children, on the other hand, will marvel at the laurisylve forest and the spectacle of the waterfall. Don’t forget to bring water and a snack: there are no refreshment points on the trail.
Installation
There are no toilets or catering facilities on the trail itself, but you can find toilets at the Maison Forestière de Rabaçal. For food and water, we advise you to prepare in advance and take everything you need with you before starting out.
First stage: reaching the Rabaçal Forest House
From the parking lot along the ER110, you need to get to the Maison forestière de Rabaçal, the official trailhead. There are two options: take the paid shuttle bus (€3 one way, €5 round trip, available between 10am and 6pm) or walk down the 2km sloping road. The shuttle takes about 20 minutes to make a round trip. Also, given the popularity of the ride, you may have to queue to get on, as it can only take 6-8 people on board. It’s up to you!
On our visit, we chose to walk at dawn, before the shuttle service was due to start. This first stretch, lined with dense vegetation, already gives a foretaste of the valley’s atmosphere. Beware of the road, which is sometimes used by vehicles.
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Descent to the Levada do Risco
From the Maison Forestière de Rabaçal, look out for the “Risco” signs. The trail descends into the valley through increasingly dense vegetation. We were struck by the richness of the flora right from the first few metres: thick mosses, giant ferns and trees with gnarled trunks form a densely-packed backdrop. The path is steep, punctuated by large stones and roots. Caution is advised, especially in wet weather. You soon reach the Levada do Risco, whose thin stream of water accompanies the hiker to the waterfall.
Walking in the laurel forest
The stretch along the Levada do Risco passes through one of the island’s most beautiful laurel forests. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Madeira’s Laurissilva is a subtropical rainforest whose origins date back several million years. We moved through a tunnel of vegetation where the light barely filtered through the branches. The atmosphere is cool, quiet and damp. Here you’ll find exceptional vegetation: laurel, tree heather, ferns and mosses cover every surface. This is one of the most beautiful sections of the entire hike, and well worth taking the time to immerse yourself in.
Arrival at Cascade do Risco
At the end of the path, the Cascade do Risco is revealed in all its power. This 100m-high waterfall rises from the edge of a vertical cliff to crash into a deep rocky cirque, often shrouded in mist. The show is impressive. We stopped for a long time to observe it, listening to the roar of the water and the coolness of the pool. The vegetation lining the walls of the cirque reinforces the impression of being at the heart of a world apart. You can admire the waterfall from the path, in complete safety. However, we would like to warn you: do not attempt to access the pool at the foot of the waterfall, as this is a dangerous area and accidents have already occurred.
The way back and views of the Rabaçal valley
For the return journey, retrace your steps along the same path. The return journey offers different views of the forest and the Rabaçal valley. We enjoyed the few glimpses of the green cliffs that frame the valley. The climb back up to the parking lot is the most physically demanding part: take your time and hydrate regularly. If you’d like to extend your walk, on the way back you can branch off towards the Levada das 25 Fontes and its waterfall, a detour we highly recommend if you have the time and energy.
PLAN YOUR STAY IN Madeira
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