Rabaçal, 25 Fontes and the Risco waterfall

The walks start from the Rabaçal car park on the ER105 (formerly the ER110), high on the Paul da Serra plateau. From there it is 2 km down a paved road, on foot or by the council minibus, to Casa do Rabaçal, the forest house where the trails begin.

PR6, Levada das 25 Fontes. The path follows a levada through laurel forest and old tree heath, with views over the Ribeira da Janela valley, to a pool fed by many springs running down a rock wall from the Paul da Serra plateau. IFCN runs it one way round: out along the levada and back by a separate path, the Bypass. The official time is about 3 hours.

PR6.1, Levada do Risco. A shorter, easier walk on a parallel levada to the Risco waterfall, which falls straight down a dark rock wall. It shares its first part with the PR6 and comes back the same way.

• One slot per trail. The PR6 and the PR6.1 each need their own SIMplifica slot, €4.50 a person. Two or more trails on one day cost €9 a person, worked out at checkout.
• Follow the one-way rule on the PR6. You can't simply turn round; the way back is the Bypass.
• Allow 3 to 4 hours for 25 Fontes and back, plus about 2 hours for the Risco waterfall if you walk both.
• Expect mud after rain and narrow stretches where walkers give way. The plateau is colder and wetter than the coast, so bring a layer.
• Toilets are at Casa do Rabaçal only, none along the walks.
• Coming by car? The ER105 from Encumeada is closed (since January 2024), so the road up is from the south coast.

With a hiking transfer your driver drops you at the Rabaçal car park at your slot time and collects you there when you message near the end. If you're staying in Calheta, Ponta do Sol or São Vicente, the pickup there adds nothing.