Trails
Levada Velha do Rabaçal (PR6.4)
An old levada, now usually dry, from Pico Gordo to Casa do Rabaçal
The place
Levada Velha do Rabaçal is the official PR6.4, a one-way route of 5 km that IFCN gives about two hours, from Pico Gordo, on the ER 105, to Casa do Rabaçal. Heights stay between 1,038 m and 1,190 m. From the road an access path of about 800 m leads to the levada, here also called the Levada do Risco, and the route turns right along it to Casa do Rabaçal, where the Rabaçal routes meet.
The old levada now carries water only from its source to near Casa do Rabaçal; that water is passed into the Levada Nova do Rabaçal, the Levada das 25 Fontes, so the channel beside the walk is normally empty. A left turn at the levada leads instead to the Túnel das Estrebarias, or Furado Velho, built in 1855, which first brought the plentiful water of the north coast through to the drier south. Clearings along the way look over the laurissilva, the laurel forest UNESCO listed in 1999, home to til, laurel and vinhático trees and to birds such as the endemic Trocaz pigeon and the firecrest. From Casa do Rabaçal, PR6, PR6.1 and PR6.3 go on.
Highlights
- The Levada Velha do Rabaçal, whose channel beside the walk normally carries no water.
- A side branch to the left at the levada, to the Túnel das Estrebarias of 1855.
- Clearings over the laurissilva, with til, laurel and vinhático trees.
- Casa do Rabaçal at the end, where PR6, PR6.1 and PR6.3 go on.
When to come
A clear day, for the views from the clearings over the laurissilva; the weather changes often up here, so bring a warm layer.
Getting there
Start on the ER 105 at Pico Gordo. The route ends at Casa do Rabaçal, where the panel map shows a bus stop, a café, toilets and the Rabaçal reception centre; for a taxi, the panel lists Táxis Calheta, +351 291 822 129.
Worth knowing
- Booking and fee: pay through SIMplifica; €4.50 in 2026 for visitors over 12, with children 12 and under exempt.
- Distance and time: 5 km one way, about 2 hours.
- Heights: between 1,038 m and 1,190 m.
- Difficulty: moderate on the regional government's map portal, which counts 32 m of climbing and 166 m of descent.
- Caution: IFCN warns that the weather changes often, so bring warm clothes.
- Tunnels: the panel says there are tunnels on the way and to carry a torch; the only one its text and map show is the Túnel das Estrebarias, reached by turning left at the levada, while the way to Casa do Rabaçal turns right.
- Status: open on the IFCN list on 4 November 2026; check IFCN or SIMplifica before you go.
