Levada Velha do Rabaçal (PR 6.4)
Levada Velha do Rabaçal is a 5 km walk from Pico Gordo to Casa do Rabaçal in the IFCN table. It follows an old water channel through Laurisilva forest. Entry costs €4.50 per person through SIMplifica, with exemptions below.
- Status
- OpenOpen. IFCN table dated 14 September 2026 · checked by islandmadeira.com 24 September 2026 at 21:19, Madeira time.Fetch the current trail status from the IFCN page; one live request per 30 minutes for the whole site, otherwise the last check is shown.
- Length
- 5 kmIFCN table, Pico Gordo to Casa do Rabaçal.
- Time on the board
- 2 h 00 mOne way, as printed on the panel at the start.
- Highest and lowest point
- 1,190 m and 1,038 m
- Start and finish
- Pico Gordo (ER 105) to Casa do RabaçalFrom the route board at the start.
- Fee
- €4.50 per person, booked onlineBooking on the SIMplifica portal, fees as of 2 June 2026. Free for children aged 12 or under, for Madeira residents with their resident card and citizen card, and for anyone with a disability of 60% or more plus one companion. All of them still need a booking.
- At the start
- information board at Pico Gordo
- Weather now
- 24.9 °C at Porto Moniz, 6 m
18.8 °C at Pico do Areeiro, 1,818 mThe two IPMA stations we show for this route, the nearest one and the island’s mountain station, observed 24 September 2026 at 20:00, Madeira time
Warnings come from IPMA by zone, not by trail. A yellow warning for fog, wind or thunderstorms is a reason to check the route status and the sky before you set off, and the forest service closes paths on its own schedule. Station readings.
Walking from Pico Gordo to Rabaçal
Start at Pico Gordo on the ER 105. Follow the path for about 800 m to reach the levada. Turn right here for Casa do Rabaçal. The route board also gives 5 km between these endpoints, with 2 hours one way.
Turning left takes you towards Estrebarias Tunnel, also called Furado Velho. Its construction in 1855 first allowed water from Madeira's north coast to cross to the south coast. Keep the right turn in mind when following PR 6.4 to the house.
The old channel and the forest
Parts of the old channel are dry. Water from its source is diverted near Casa do Rabaçal into Levada Nova do Rabaçal, also known as the 25 Fontes levada.
Clearings give views into the Laurisilva forest. This is habitat for the endemic trocaz pigeon and other birds. Finches also frequent the Rabaçal shelter at the finish.
What to pack and where to check the weather
Take a torch for the tunnels flagged on the route board. Weather changes frequently here. Pack warm clothing too.
The weather panel shows Porto Moniz at 6 m above sea level and Pico do Areeiro at 1,818 m. The walk's lowest point is 1,038 m and its highest is 1,190 m. I'd keep those heights in mind when looking at the station reading.
Facilities marked on the route board
An information board is marked at Pico Gordo. At Casa do Rabaçal the icons mark another board and a shelter. They also mark a leisure area and toilets.
A café and a bus stop are marked at the finish too, alongside the Rabaçal Information Centre. These symbols identify facilities. They don't establish opening hours or bus services.
Booking Levada Velha do Rabaçal
Book an entry slot online on the SIMplifica portal. Registration is required. IFCN offices don't take bookings or payments. A guide is optional.
You can book for today or tomorrow while places remain. Full slots close automatically. Allow for about 15 minutes of tolerance before or after your slot.
What the route board asks
- Weather is subject to frequent changes, take warm clothing.
- Tunnels on the way carry a flashlight.
From the IFCN board at the start of the route. Taxis listed on the board: Calheta taxis +351 291 822 129.
Routes next door
Vereda do Areeiro PR 1
partly open6.1 km, Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo
Vereda da Ilha PR 1.1
open8.2 km, Pico Ruivo to Ilha
Vereda do Pico Ruivo PR 1.2
open2.8 km (+ 2.8 km back), Achada do Teixeira to Pico Ruivo
Status from the IFCN table, re-read at every build and again in your browser.
Questions before you go
How long is Levada Velha do Rabaçal?
The IFCN table gives 5 km from Pico Gordo to Casa do Rabaçal. The board gives the same distance and endpoints. Its time is 2 hours one way. That timing covers the walk to the house.
Is PR 6.4 open?
Look at the live status panel on this page before setting out. Use its status check to get the latest IFCN information. A weather warning does not automatically close a route. The IFCN route status determines whether it is open.
Who can walk PR 6.4 for free?
Children aged 12 or under go free. Madeira residents qualify with their resident card and citizen card. Free entry also covers people with a disability of 60% or more plus one companion. Everyone still needs registration and a SIMplifica booking.
What does entry cost if I'm walking several routes?
Most classified routes cost €4.50 per person. PR 1 costs €10.50. Multi-route fees are €9 for one day or €22.50 for three days. Seven days cost €52.50. These cover two or more routes and always exclude PR 1. Book each route separately. SIMplifica applies the cheapest option automatically.
Can I get a refund if it rains?
Rain alone does not qualify for a refund or rescheduling. These apply only when IFCN closes or restricts the route. Email IFCN within 10 working days to request either. Changing your mind or falling ill means losing the fee. A missed flight does too.
Sources
- IFCN, table of classified routes: status and length. IFCN table dated · checked by islandmadeira.com ; re-read every few hours.
- IFCN, route board PR 6.4 at the start of the route: distance, time, heights, description and cautions, read 20 September 2026.
- IFCN, fees and bookings FAQ, updated 2 June 2026, read 14 September 2026.
Who checked this
Roman Antonov, editor. The status comes from the forest service table, the figures from the board at the start of the route and the fee rules from the IFCN FAQ, each with its date above. If something on the ground has changed, tell me.
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