Instead of hiking the overcrowded Rabaçal trails, a great alternative offering similar views, lush vegetation, and beautiful waterfalls is the much quieter Levada do Alecrim, which runs above 25 Fontes.
You can park at the same parking lot as Rabaçal, but instead of walking down to the tea house, stay on the same level as the parking area. What I love most about this walk is that it’s mostly flat - except for one staircase - unlike 25 Fontes, where you’ll find more ups and downs.
This is an out-and-back trail, with a stunning waterfall at the end. If you want to make the hike more challenging, on your way back you can take the staircase down to PR 6.3 Vereda da Lagoa do Vento. Keep in mind that this 1.8 km detour involves quite a lot of steps!
Once you reach the impressive tall waterfall at Lagoa do Vento, you can choose to either return to Levada do Alecrim or head directly to the Rabaçal tea house. From there, you can walk back up the road to the parking lot (about 20 minutes) or take the transfer for approx 3EUR from the tea house.
PAYING FOR HIKES
Since October 28, 2024, you need to pay a small fee of €3 to access all PR routes. You can either pay in advance online or scan the QR code at the start of the hike to pay on the spot. Click here for more information.
IMPORTANT:
Due to maintenance, landslides, or falling rocks, some trails may be temporarily closed. Check the updated list below: List of open & closed Levada's
It’s also important to note that not all hikes are classified as PR routes—which are the official trails recommended by the government—and therefore may not appear on the IFCN list.
Be aware that trails not classified as PR routes are not regularly maintained, as their primary purpose is to irrigate farmland, not to serve as walking paths.
