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PR 6.1 - Levada do Risco

PR 6.1 - Levada do Risco — the trail guide

The PR 6.1 - Levada do Risco is a 6.2 km trek in Portugal, typically walked in 2-3 hours, with 117 m of total ascent. It rates Easy on our published rubric (19 m of gain per km, topping out at 1277 m).

PR 6.1 leaves the ER 105 on the Paúl da Serra plateau, drops down the tarmac access road to Rabaçal, then follows the Levada do Risco through UNESCO-listed laurisilva to a viewpoint facing the Risco waterfall, a hundred-metre ribbon spilling off the cliff into the valley below. The path is wide, near-level and hugs the water channel, which makes it Madeira's gentlest famous walk. It shares a trailhead with PR 6 Levada das 25 Fontes, so most walkers link the two.

Quick facts

Distance6.2 km
Total ascent117 m
Typical duration2-3 hours
Difficulty (computed)Easy
Steepness19 m gain per km
High point1277 m
CountryPortugal
RegionPortugal

Difficulty is computed from gain-per-km and maximum altitude on a published rubric, identically for every trail in the catalogue — so an "Easy" here means the same thing everywhere on DirtbagMaps.

Elevation profile

Low point 1047 m · high point 1277 m · 117 m total ascent over 6.2 km.

Historical climate normals — month by month

ERA5 reanalysis averages (2015–2024) for the trail area, referenced to approximately 1276 m elevation. These are gridded historical estimates, not observations from every stage and not a forecast. They cannot show current snowpack, river levels, fire restrictions, closures or whether a pass is safe.

MonthAvg highAvg lowAvg precip
Jan10°113 mm
Feb10°113 mm
Mar11°128 mm
Apr12°105 mm
May13°67 mm
Jun15°10°77 mm
Jul18°11°24 mm
Aug19°13°28 mm
Sep17°12°63 mm
Oct16°11°127 mm
Nov13°120 mm
Dec12°134 mm

Planning notes

Frequently asked questions

How long is the PR 6.1 - Levada do Risco?

The PR 6.1 - Levada do Risco is 6.2 km, and most hikers complete it in 2-3 hours. Total elevation gain is 117 m.

How difficult is the PR 6.1 - Levada do Risco?

It rates Easy on DirtbagMaps' computed rubric: 19 m of climbing per km walked with a high point of 1277 m. The rubric classifies every trail from gain-per-km and maximum altitude, so ratings are comparable across the whole catalogue.

Can this climate table tell me when the PR 6.1 - Levada do Risco is open or safe?

No. The table contains historical ERA5 averages, not a forecast or a report of snow, flooding, fire, closures or route condition. Check the responsible land manager and a current local forecast before departure.

Where is the PR 6.1 - Levada do Risco?

In Portugal. The route starts near 32.754, -17.133 — the interactive 3D map above shows the full line, and the planner splits it into daily stages.

Can I get the GPX and plan daily stages?

Yes. Open the trail in the DirtbagMaps planner to drag the elevation profile into daily stages, see huts and accommodation along the corridor, and export a per-day GPX for your watch or GPS.

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