Levada Velha do Rabaçal
Pico Gordo to Casa do Rabaçal
Historic levada link from Pico Gordo down to the Rabaçal shelter area (5 km).
Photo: cudiCC BY 2.0Wikimedia Commons
Trail open: fair walking conditions
Open in the official register. Mountain weather shifts quickly; take layers and water.
Current conditions & safety:
- The walk is open, and the weather reading looks reasonable. Still look at the camera.
“Aberto segundo registo oficial IFCN.”
Before you leave: timing & departure
Conditions on the ridge and valley are currently clear. Best visibility occurs before 13:00 to 14:00 when Atlantic trade clouds typically gather on northern windward slopes.
Leave exposed ridges or unlit levadas at least 2 hours before dusk.
Walkers without proper boots. Mud and rock can be slippery.
Public bus
Not a live timetable. Colors match the map: bus, walk, taxi gap. Clocks appear only from a full PDF or from the Horários do Funchal feed. Where there is no bus: licensed taxi or private transfer. The taxi lines use the 2026 IMT meter on named road kilometres. This site does not book the ride.
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Hike
Hike between trailheads, about 2.5 hours. That figure is the trail estimate, not a bus time.
Classified PRs need a Simplifica booking, including RAM residents who pay nothing. A paid booking does not open a closed trail.
Camping only in IFCN zones, licence on Simplifica, €5 per tent per night. Wild camping and fires are not allowed.
Mountain weather at elevation
Temperatures on Madeira drop by roughly 6.5°C per 1,000 metres of elevation. High ridges are significantly colder and windier than the coast.
Elevation Profile & Mountain Cloud Ceiling
Cross-section of the route relative to the trade-wind cloud layer (Mar de Nuvens), tunnel sections, and exposed cliff edges.
PR6.4 rises from 1064m to 1200m over 5 km. Estimated cloud base is about 800m with tops near 1250m. The route lies inside the cloud deck; expect poor visibility and wet rock.
Route Equipment & Permit Checklist
Official gear guidelines, tunnel safety requirements, and conservation fees for this specific route.
Pico Gordo to Casa do Rabaçal: sunrise, first light & departure
Astronomically calculated for 1200 m elevation (1.01° horizon dip). The sun crests about six minutes earlier than sea level in Funchal.
Depart Funchal by 06:31 to secure trailhead parking before the lot fills (around 06:15) and reach the viewpoint ahead of first civil light (07:41).
Morning light progression
Frequently asked questions · PR6.4 Levada Velha do Rabaçal
Is PR6.4 (Levada Velha do Rabaçal) open or closed today in Madeira?
The official IFCN status for PR6.4 Levada Velha do Rabaçal is currently OPEN. Mountain trail access is updated by IFCN for rockfall, wet rock, or gale warnings. Physical trailhead barriers and ranger notices always override online statuses.
What are the current weather and cloud conditions at Levada Velha do Rabaçal?
Mountain weather across Madeira differs drastically from Funchal. At PR6.4 (spanning 1064m to 1200m), trade winds often create a thick cloud layer between 1,000m and 1,400m while the highest peaks may sit in clear sunshine. Check the live mountain camera above before setting out.
Do I need to pay an entrance fee or permit for PR6.4?
No specific access fee is currently mandated for this trail, subject to standard regional environmental conservation rules.
What should I do if PR6.4 is closed?
Never bypass closed gates or warning tape. If the central peaks or northern levadas are closed by weather, the East Coast (PR8 Ponta de São Lourenço) or lower southern levadas typically provide dry, sunny fallback conditions.
How does parking and return transport work at Levada Velha do Rabaçal?
This is a linear one-way traverse (5 km). Start and end points are in different valleys. Pre-book your taxi or private return shuttle, as remote mountain trailheads (e.g. Achada do Teixeira) have no regular bus service.