Activities

Rabaçal Valley Walking Tour

from

£37.00

Free cancellation

Language: German, English, French, Portuguese

Mobile voucher accepted

Duration: from 4 hours to 8 hours

Guided tour

Instant confirmation

Smaller group size

E-Voucher

Do this because

Walk along the ‘25 fountains' levada which towers above 25 natural springs
Grade 2 moderate level
Walk through the Rabaçal valley
Visit the Risco waterfall

What to expect

One of the most popular walks in Madeira, the 11 km-long ‘25 fountains' levada walk will lead you through magical landscapes to waterfalls, a small lake and flowing springs. You'll journey from Paul da Serra into the Rabaçal Valley and along the levada to Risco waterfall and the 25 natural springs.

We'll start from the top of the Paul da Serra plateau and descend into the lush green valley below. Your guide will be with you every step of the way, pointing out the flora and fauna that Madeira is well-known for. Once we arrive at the Rabaçal guesthouse, we'll make our way to the Risco waterfall through the valley.

Afterwards, you'll keep following the levada through beautiful countryside all the way to a small lake, where you'll soon see the 25 natural springs trickling down the hills. Enjoy a short break to soak up the atmosphere before returning to the vehicles through a shortcut tunnel that transports water to the south of Madeira.

What's included

Transport
Guide
Walking tour

What to remember

This is a walk of moderate difficulty, with a distance of 11 km covered in approximately 4 hours
Paths may be slippery/uneven, so you'll need to be sure-footed
During this experience, there is a narrow path of about 30 minutes walking time. Guests that do not feel comfortable walking this route can wait for the rest of the group in a shaded area.
Max. altitude /min. altitude: 1290m/900m
At the end of the walk, you have to traverse an 800m-long tunnel – please bring a mobile or torch
Not suitable for guests with reduced mobility
Bring suitable footwear
Subject to weather conditions
Food and drinks not included
Children must be supervised by an adult (over 18 years) at all time
This experience doesn't follow our general cancellation policy. If you need to cancel, you must do so at least 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund

Provider

TUI PORTUGAL

Booking fee

Good news! No extra fees are applied to this booking.

Cancellation policy

Receive a 100% refund if you cancel up to 1 day before the experience begins.

What people say about this experience

Fantastisk fjellvandring
From United States of America - September 2024

Travelled as a couple

45 - 54 years old

Excellent
Overall rated
4/5

Litt for mange mennesker på stiene, noe køgåing. Men det kan dere vel ikke gjøre noe med!?
Cecilie
From United States of America - July 2024

Travelled as a couple

18 - 24 years old

Great
Overall rated
3/5

Turen er virkelig smuk og godt beskrevet, vi havde en skøn dag! Men vores guide gad tydeligt ikke at være der. Hun var irriteret på andre turister o ...
Hanss
From United States of America - June 2024

Travelled with a group of friends

55 - 64 years old

Excellent
Overall rated
5/5

Guiden var kunnig, trevlig och ansvarstagande.
Joha
From Sweden - March 2024

Travelled as a couple

45 - 54 years old

Average
Overall rated
3/5

Lång upphämtning, över en timma. Guiden pratade helst Tyska och mycke mindre engelska. Finns inga toaletter att tillgå. Fin natur med mycket trappor.
Adam
From United States of America - January 2024

Solo traveller

25 - 34 years old

Excellent
Overall rated
5/5
StickanJ
From United States of America - October 2023

Travelled as a couple

45 - 54 years old

Excellent
Overall rated
5/5

Excursions & day trips

Enchanting East Madeira Tour with Lunch in Santana

The knockout natural beauty of eastern Madeira is in the spotlight on this full day tour. You'll have your head in the clouds at Pico do Areeiro, walk next to cute thatched houses in Santana, have lunch at Quinta do Furão and step back in time at Ponta de São Lourenço.

free cancellation

Available in:

en, fr, nl

Excursions & day trips

Madeira South Coast Cruise on Living Sea with Lunch

Madeira's southwest coast is the star of this all-inclusive cruise. After setting out from the port in Funchal, you'll head up the coast to Cais da Lapa for some swimming. The best part is that with a maximum of 52 guests on board, you'll have all the space and attentive service you need.

free cancellation

Available in:

es, en, fr, pt

Activities

Pico do Arieiro Sunrise Tour with Local Breakfast

Seeing sunrise from the top of one of Madeira's highest peaks will have you reaching for your camera over and over again. And this exclusive morning trip to Pico do Arieiro promises just that – views over Madeira during the mystical first light of the day, followed by a warming breakfast.

free cancellation

Available in:

en, pt

Excursions & day trips

Madeira Dramatic West Coast Tour with Lunch in Porto Moniz

Madeira's magnificent scenery takes centre stage on this full day tour. You'll visit a selection of highlights including picturesque Ribeira Brava Village, Porto Moniz, Paúl da Serra and Encumeada Pass. Mariana, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘You'll get to know the true drama of Madeira's landscapes. You might be lucky enough to see the ocean both to the north and the south from Encumeada Pass, but the highest points on the island do sometimes catch the clouds.'Your first destination will be the cute Ribeira Brava Village, with its appealing, seafront promenade behind the beach. The views along the valley towards the island's interior give a hint of the impressive landscapes you'll explore when you head inland. Mariana adds, ‘You'll see as you travel around that no patch of fertile land is wasted in Madeira – even the steep hillsides around Ribiera Brava are terraced to cultivate crops.' Then, it's time for a stroll through a banana plantation in Madalena do Mar.Next, we'll head up the 1,500m-high Paúl da Serra plateau before descending on Porto Moniz, famous for its natural lava rock swimming pools. A typical lunch freshly prepared with local produce awaits in the village. Then, crossing north to south, we'll venture over the Encumeada Pass for some knockout views across the island. Rounding off the day is a poncha drink demonstration and tasting in Câmara de Lobos – a favourite holiday spot of Winston Churchill. Mariana says, ‘Be careful – poncha is so fruity and refreshing, but it hides a serious brandy kick.'

free cancellation

Available in:

en, fr, nl

Excursions & day trips

Deluxe Eastern Madeira Tour with Local Lunch and Levada Walk

From rugged coastline to fairytale houses, this full day excursion of eastern Madeira is all about what makes the island so special. You'll discover the historic towns of Machico and Santana as well as the natural gems of Ponta da Rosto and Pico do Areiro. There's also a levada walk and traditional lunch.

free cancellation

Available in:

Excursions & day trips

Deluxe Western Madeira Tour with Cabo Girão and Lunch

Traversing Madeira from the south to the north coast, this tour takes in many of the island's highlights. You'll see Cabo Girão cliffs, visit a banana plantation and climb to the Paul do Serra plateau. Stop for lunch at the villages of Porto Moniz and visit Camara de Lobos and Serra de Agua, as well as enjoying a stroll around the village of São Vicente. Monica, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘The drama of Madeira's landscape reaches a climax on the south coast. Cabo Girão, the second-highest sea cliffs in the world, rise nearly 600 metres vertically from the Atlantic. The skywalk at the top offers amazing views.'The lofty viewpoint at Cabo Girão is the first of several on this small-group tour. After your skywalk experience, head back down to sea level to get a closer look at the island's agricultural heritage at a banana plantation at Madalena do Mar. Then it's time to take a scenic drive up to the Paul do Serra plateau where – weather permitting – the views over the shark's tooth peaks are sublime.Next, it's onward to the north coast for a lunch prepared with local produce in a typical, family-owned restaurant in Porto Moniz village, famous for its natural lava rock swimming pools. After some free time here, take in the drama of the surroundings on a visit to São Vicente village, located in one of the most beautiful valleys in Madeira. Your panoramic return route includes a photo stop at another mountain viewpoint at Encumeada Pass, and a stop for a drink in the village of Serra de Agua.

free cancellation

Available in:

Excursions & day trips

Eastern Madeira Private Tour

This exclusive private tour shines a light on the east of Madeira. You'll have your head in the clouds at Pico do Areeiro, walk next to cute thatched houses in Santana, have lunch at Quinta do Furão and step back in time at Ponta de São Lourenço.

free cancellation

Available in:

de, en

Activities

Eastern Madeira Sustainable Tour in a 4x4 with Lunch

Set off on a sustainable 4x4 tour that gives back to the local economy and helps keep Madeira green. Your action-packed day takes in gems like Pico do Areeiro, UNESCO-listed laurel forests and Funchal Ecological Park. What's more, you'll do it all with the help of a local expert. Rúben, one of our guides, says, ‘Wild and untamed nature is Madeira's most precious treasure. Make memories with an experience that the world will thank you for.'During the months of October to April, your first stop is at Funchal Ecological Park, where a sustainable activity will take place, contributing to the conservation of the endemic flora of the Island and the eradication of invasive species. From May to September a visit to a historic water mill or an organic farm will be on offer instead. Next, we'll visit the towering Pico do Areeiro. One of the highest peaks on the island, it boasts wow-factor panoramas over the Atlantic Ocean.Heading off-road towards the north, you'll zigzag through an ancient laurel forest – a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999 – on scenic trails towards the mountain town of Santana to see its steep-roofed, straw-thatched homes. After a well-deserved lunch break in a typical local restaurant, we'll round off with a pit stop at a nearby viewpoint, offering knockout coastal panoramas all the way to Madeira's easternmost point, the São Lourenço peninsula.

free cancellation

Available in:

en, pt

Excursions & day trips

Northwest Madeira 4x4 Tour with Laurisilva Forest and Lunch

Taking in coastal gems, wild forests and sustainable producers, this 4x4 tour showcases Madeira's adventurous side. You'll experience the drama of Madeira's scenery from up close and get an insight into the island's culture, too. Ruben, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Get ready to learn the secrets of mixing poncha, the much-loved island tipple made with sugar cane rum, fresh juice and local honey. Be careful, though – poncha's fruity, refreshing taste hides a serious kick.'Starting off in Ponta do Sol, you'll get great views of the south coast from Paul da Serra, 1400m above sea level. Then it's on to Fanal, where some of the oldest Laurel trees on the island grow. Ruben says, ‘Madeira's laurel forests are the largest surviving area of primary laurisilva woods anywhere. Some of the trees are thought to be around 800 years old, and the ecosystem is largely intact. These forests host around 100 endemic species, and they are protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.'Rumble past typical ‘poios' terraced farmland en route to Seixal beach for a swim. After this, we'll head to Chão da Ribeira to savour a tasty local lunch. Chef Sérgio will show you how to make the classic grilled beef skewer, known in Portuguese as ‘espetada', while you enjoy a glass of Madeira Wine as an apéritif. There's also a vegan burger option. To wrap up your tour, we'll visit São Vicente to meet an organic honey producer. Here, you'll learn all about honey production, and you'll try your hand at making Madeira's traditional drink, poncha.

free cancellation

Available in:

Excursions & day trips

VIP Madeira Catamaran Cruise on Luna

As soon as you step aboard the Sailing Catamaran Luna, you'll get the VIP treatment. The best part is that with a maximum of 18 guests on board, you'll have all the space and attentive service you need to enjoy your time at sea. Rodrigo, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘You pass by Cabo Girão, the second-highest sea cliffs in the world. The viewpoint at the top is often really busy, so you can enjoy seeing the cape from an alternative – and much calmer – perspective.'Madeira's southwest coast is the star of this laidback cruise, and after setting out from Funchal port, you'll head up the less-explored coast to take in the views. Settle in on deck with a cold drink in hand, and feel the Atlantic breeze in your hair. You'll glide along the intensely green coastline – soon coming upon Cabo Girão, which towers out of the sea at a height of 580 metres. You'll get to look for marine life in the clear waters at the foot of the cliffs, while the crew are on hand with drinks and snacks.Rodrigo adds, ‘While you admire Madeira's rugged coastal scenery from the sleek deck of the catamaran, you'll be glad to realise how stable and comfortable this vessel is, which allows you to fully enjoy the experience without any worries.' Make the most of the VIP on-board experience with your group before sailing back down the coastline back to base.

free cancellation

Available in:

Rabaçal Valley Walking Tour

What people say about this experience

Excellent