Is the 25 Fontes trail open today?

Book it. PR6 on SIMplifica

The 25 Fontes is one of Madeira's most popular walks, so slots go fast. In order of what matters:

1. Book your €4.50 slot on SIMplifica in advance. Entry is in 30-minute windows; in summer the trail sells out days ahead. Under-12s are free but must still be on the booking.
2. Aim for early or late slots. The lagoon and the narrow levada get crowded midday; first or last entries are calmer and cooler.
3. Or go with an IFCN protocol operator — a lower trail fee (€3) plus transport from Funchal, which solves the long mountain drive.

Getting there. Rabaçal & the road down

The trail starts at Rabaçal, high on the west of the island — a long, winding mountain drive from Funchal (about an hour and a half).

• Park at the Rabaçal car park on the mountain road (ER110/ER105). You cannot drive down to the trailhead.
• From the car park it's about a 2 km walk — roughly 300 m of descent — down the narrow tarmac access road to the Rabaçal forestry houses, where the levada begins. A small paid shuttle van also runs it if you'd rather not walk down.
• That descent is the sting in the tail: it's easy going down, but you climb it back up at the end, tired. Factor it into your timing.

Make a day of it

Two short add-ons share the same start, so most people combine them:

• Levada do Risco (PR6.1) — a 20-minute stroll to a tall, misty waterfall. Its own €4.50 booking.
• Vereda da Lagoa do Vento (PR6.3) — a steeper extension to a hidden lagoon and waterfall for the keen.

Closed or full? Your options

If IFCN closes PR6 (weather, landslip, works) or you can't get a slot:

• Reschedule via the SIMplifica call centre before your date — you can move date/time freely, and switch trail only if yours was officially closed.
• Open alternatives: check the live board — Risco (PR6.1), Caldeirão Verde (PR9) and Balcões (PR11) are usually available and just as green.

Three things people find out too late

• The return is uphill. The 2 km access road you skipped down at the start is a real climb at the end — pace yourself and keep water.
• It's laurel forest, not a beach day. Rabaçal sits at ~1,000–1,300 m; it can be cool, damp or foggy while Funchal is sunny. Bring a layer and grippy shoes — the levada edge is narrow with drops.
• It's out-and-back. You return along the same levada, so turn around with enough time and daylight for the climb out.