📹Rabaçal
Rabaçal •Offline
Mountains
Gateway to the Levadas
When you look at this webcam, you are seeing the main starting point for some of Madeira's most famous levada walks. The renowned 25 Fontes trail is a 4.3-kilometre route that drops down to the Casa do Rabaçal at an elevation of 1,064 metres. If you prefer a shorter walk, the Risco trail is just 1.5 kilometres and leads straight to a beautiful, tall waterfall. The dense laurel forest here is incredibly peaceful, with ancient stone walls covered in moss and endemic bird species gathering near the central cafe. Just keep in mind that the main trails can get quite muddy and slippery when busy, so good footwear is essential.
Local Guide Advice
I always warn hikers that the weather on the coast does not reflect the weather up here. Watching this camera saves you from driving an hour up the mountain only to be stuck in a cold, dense fog. This live feed points toward the main trailhead and parking area on the Paúl da Serra plateau. You can quickly see if the lot is full and whether the visibility is clear enough to hike safely.
When you look at this webcam, you are seeing the main starting point for some of Madeira's most famous levada walks. The renowned 25 Fontes trail is a 4.3-kilometre route that drops down to the Casa do Rabaçal at an elevation of 1,064 metres. If you prefer a shorter walk, the Risco trail is just 1.5 kilometres and leads straight to a beautiful, tall waterfall. The dense laurel forest here is incredibly peaceful, with ancient stone walls covered in moss and endemic bird species gathering near the central cafe. Just keep in mind that the main trails can get quite muddy and slippery when busy, so good footwear is essential.
Local Guide Advice
I always warn hikers that the weather on the coast does not reflect the weather up here. Watching this camera saves you from driving an hour up the mountain only to be stuck in a cold, dense fog. This live feed points toward the main trailhead and parking area on the Paúl da Serra plateau. You can quickly see if the lot is full and whether the visibility is clear enough to hike safely.
Highlights
- ✓The main trailhead and parking area for the 25 Fontes and Risco walks.
- ✓Current fog, rain, or sunshine conditions on the Paúl da Serra plateau.
- ✓How busy the area is, helping you decide if you should take the shuttle or walk.
- ✓The dense, green laurel forest canopy that surrounds the paths.
Key Features
- •Check the local visibility to ensure you will actually be able to see the waterfalls.
- •See if the parking lot is already full before driving up the mountain.
- •Decide whether you need your heavy rain gear or just a light sweater.
- •Verify that the trails are open and safe for walking today.
Rabaçal Trail Conditions
Microclimate: Southwestern Plateau Flank
- A deep green valley of ancient Laurisilva forest on the southwestern side of the Paul da Serra plateau
- Landscape is a large hydrographic collection basin powering the island's most key levada junction networks
- Fog can roll in very quickly as moist ocean air spills over the plateau edge into the valley
- Requires immediate working check of key parking crowding limits at the ER110 highway junction prior to descent