L-RABACAS (Levada das Rabaças) is a 3.0 km each way (6.0 km round trip), medium, community route. Cost: free. Whether it is worth hiking right now depends on live conditions and today's official status, re-checked every 20 minutes in the live app.
Madeira
A coastal forecast will not tell you what it is doing at 1076m up on this ridge. That is what the live score is for. How the island splits one forecast into many: microclimate guide.
Go or wait today?
The difference between a clear morning above the clouds and a wet, foggy drive is knowing before you go. Levadas reads the live weather, the safe-start window and how busy Levada das Rabaças is right now, then gives you one honest answer, re-checked every 20 minutes.
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Download GPX: free offline map
Grab the full GPS track and waypoints for Levada das Rabaças as a free GPX file, no signup. Load it into Garmin, Komoot, AllTrails, Gaia GPS or OsmAnd and follow the route offline, even where there is no phone signal.
ⓘ Source & safety
Track and waypoints from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Planning aid, not a safety guarantee. Check the official trail status and conditions before you go.Estimated hiking time
52min
About Levada das Rabaças
A short tunnel-and-waterfall adventure off the Encumeada pass, following the Levada das Rabaças into dark, dripping rock tunnels (a torch is essential) towards the springs that feed it. Big views over the Serra de Água valley on the way in.
Levada das Rabaças (L-RABACAS) is a round trip route of about 6.0 km in Madeira.
What you'll see
Along the way you'll find a levada water-channel path, waterfalls, a mountain summit and panoramic viewpoints.
Landmarks on the route include Cedro.
The path runs between roughly 1,003 m and 1,076 m above sea level, so conditions can change with altitude.
Difficulty
Levada das Rabaças rates as medium on our objective scale, based on 6.0 km round trip and 160 m of ascent.
This grade is an estimate from distance, ascent and exposure, not an official IFCN rating.
How long it takes
Allow about 2h for the round trip (you return the same way).
The app's live 0-100 score also flags the latest safe start time for the day. See it in the app.
Getting there and back
Starts at Encumeada. Ends at Rabaças tunnels. A car park is mapped for this route, though its size is not recorded. It is signed for customers of the business it belongs to, not public parking. The car park is about 420 m from the start.
What to bring
Rock tunnels along the route — bring a torch or headlamp.
Best time to walk it
Year-round; avoid wet days (slippery)
High trails are best early: clear summits and the chance of a sunrise above the clouds before the cloud builds.
This route is mostly open to the sun, so it bites on a hot, clear day. Start early and carry more water than you think you need.
The sun and shade reading comes from the slope's aspect and steepness, so it describes terrain shading and not tree cover.
A live 0-100 score picks the best 30-minute window for the day. See today's window in the app.
Frequently asked questions
Is Levada das Rabaças worth hiking today?
It depends on today's conditions, and that is exactly what Levadas answers. The app reads the current weather at Levada das Rabaças, the safe-start window, how busy it is and the official IFCN status, then gives one honest go-or-wait score from 0 to 100, re-checked every 20 minutes. It is decision-support, not a safety clearance: an official IFCN closure always overrides the score, no matter how good the weather looks.
How long is Levada das Rabaças?
Levada das Rabaças is about 6.0 km round trip.
How difficult is Levada das Rabaças?
Levada das Rabaças rates as medium based on its distance, ascent and exposure (an objective estimate, not an official IFCN grade).
How long does Levada das Rabaças take to walk?
Allow about 2h for the round trip.
Can I download a GPX track for Levada das Rabaças?
Yes. Tap Download GPX on this page: the first download on any device asks for an email so we can also send the free trail pack, then every later trail downloads instantly.
Is Levada das Rabaças free to walk?
Yes. Levada das Rabaças needs no reservation and has no fee. Only the regulated official PR trails require a paid SIMplifica booking; this one you simply walk.
Where does Levada das Rabaças start and finish?
Levada das Rabaças starts at Encumeada and finishes at Rabaças tunnels.
What will I see on Levada das Rabaças?
Highlights include a levada water-channel path, waterfalls, a mountain summit and panoramic viewpoints.
When is the best time to hike Levada das Rabaças?
Year-round; avoid wet days (slippery)
Are there tunnels on Levada das Rabaças? Do I need a torch?
Rock tunnels along the route — bring a torch or headlamp.
How do I check live conditions for Levada das Rabaças?
Levadas scores Levada das Rabaças from 0 to 100 using live weather along the path and the official status, refreshed every 20 minutes. You also see how busy it is. Open the trail in the app to see the live score and the best time to go today.