PR6 25 Fontes hike & Levada do Risco — Attraction in Calheta

We did the PR6 hike today, these are some important things to consider:

We did the hike on a rainy & cloudy day, which we personally didn’t mind at all. The cloudiness did mean we couldn’t enjoy the view over the mountains as much, but there aren’t that many viewpoints anyway. Because of the rain we saw the waterfalls in all their glory, and we thought the weather was quite fitting for this specific hike. However do consider that parts of the trail get very slippery when it rains.

Get there EARLY! We arrived around 8:15 in the morning. We had a lot of parking space to choose from and we were practically the only people there (the weather probably had something to do with this). The first half of the hike was fine, but around 2 hours in people started arriving left and right. Some of the paths are very narrow, which makes it annoying to pass by each other. By the time we got back to the car park (around noon) it was packed.

About the intensity/level of difficulty: it’s doable but not easy. There’s a lot of stairs and some of them have very high steps, so be prepared for that. I’m a somewhat inexperienced hiker and I did struggle with the steps, especially towards the end of the hike.

We only found one tunnel that was not closed off. It was very long and dark so make sure to bring a flashlight or headlamp. If you’re claustrophobic in any way, the tunnel(s) are obviously something you should avoid.

If you have a fear of heights you might want to skip this hike all together, as the narrow paths are often very close to cliffs and there isn’t always a handrail to hold onto.

Last but not least: bring a small bag to put your trash in!!! There are a few spots that are being used to go to the bathroom, and they’re unfortunately littered with trash. Don’t be that kind of person, take your trash with you.

Overall we loved this hike, definitely...

One of the most memorial days I have ever had, could have turned into the worst day of my life.

The safety on the route is the issue for me. I had taken my family with on this route and my youngest son fell through a Gap about 40cm in the pathway resulting in falling a 4m drop!

He was saved by the thorn vines that saved him from falling to his death. I was lucky enough to be able to climb down risking my own life grasping on the branches clinged to the wall and with God's strength rescue him.

Their were many people looking down at the incident but everyone was too afraid to climb down to help, scared that they too will fall to their death.

I could imagine if another child has to fall down here and a request for the emergency service to save him would be a bit too late, their for my rating for this Levada has to be 1 Star.

This incident occured returning from the 25 Fontes river, I feel their should better structuring of the safety measures and if this cannot be improved then I don't advise taking kids under the age of 12 years old on this route. According to information page at the entrance nothing was mentioned regarding age restrictions. I would also advise that their be dedicated emergency services along this route as their are thousands of people visiting this well know Levada.

I hope this gets recognized by the relevant authorities in order to avoid these types of incidents in the future.

Nontheless I will not bring down the breath taking iconic route from its name, this is a beautiful place and worth every moment but needs improvement on the man made...

Being from Madeira and having done almost all of the imaginable hikes all over the island, in my opinion, this is one of the most overrated Levada in our island.

Don't get me wrong, it's nice, but there are so much better!

First of all, it's not easily accessible. Not only do you have to park very far away from the beginning of the hike but you also have to go down (and again up to the car) to start the Levada. Being the most famous one in Madeira, be prepared for a sea of cars in the middle of Nature which can be surprising for some.

After arriving to the house that hosts a small café, you then start the Levada for around 1h30 each side.

Here the problems start: Very narrow path so if you find someone coming back you have to push your body against the wall so you don't both fall to death. Way too many people. I think every single app/tourist book/guide send people here. Impossible to profit of the nature if it looks like rush hour on a subway. The views are all the same, the end has a small lagoon with some water springs out of the rocks. Then you have to have the strength to come back up to the car park (beware, tourists don't care about anything and will park however they wish, sometimes blocking others people's car so eventually you'll be stranded waiting for them to come back and have a huge argument)

If you want to avoid all this, just nearby you have : Levada do Alecrim.

Best Levada in Madeira: Caldeirão Verde, plan B: Ponta São Lourenço, Levada do Rei, Levada...