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PR 6.4 — Levada Velha do Rabaçal

PR 6.4 — Levada Velha do Rabaçal — the trail guide

The PR 6.4 — Levada Velha do Rabaçal is a 4.8 km trek in Portugal, typically walked in 2-3 hours, with 232 m of total ascent. It rates Easy on our published rubric (48 m of gain per km, topping out at 1186 m).

PR 6.4 follows the Levada Velha, the original channel cut high above the Rabaçal bowl in western Madeira. From ER105 at Pico Gordo an 800 m approach drops to the water course, then the path contours 4.8 km through UNESCO-listed laurissilva to Casa do Rabaçal, looking down on the Risco waterfall and the busy 25 Fontes path. A detour left at the junction reaches the Túnel das Estrebarias, bored in 1855. Linear, about two hours, ending 2 km of paved road below the ER105 car park.

Quick facts

Distance4.8 km
Total ascent232 m
Typical duration2-3 hours
Difficulty (computed)Easy
Steepness48 m gain per km
High point1186 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 1029 m · high point 1186 m · 232 m total ascent over 4.8 km.

Historical climate normals — month by month

ERA5 reanalysis averages (2015–2024) for the trail area, referenced to approximately 1173 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
Jan11°77 mm
Feb11°83 mm
Mar11°105 mm
Apr12°84 mm
May14°40 mm
Jun15°11°56 mm
Jul18°13°7 mm
Aug19°14°11 mm
Sep18°13°34 mm
Oct17°12°92 mm
Nov14°10°88 mm
Dec12°96 mm

Planning notes

Frequently asked questions

How long is the PR 6.4 — Levada Velha do Rabaçal?

The PR 6.4 — Levada Velha do Rabaçal is 4.8 km, and most hikers complete it in 2-3 hours. Total elevation gain is 232 m.

How difficult is the PR 6.4 — Levada Velha do Rabaçal?

It rates Easy on DirtbagMaps' computed rubric: 48 m of climbing per km walked with a high point of 1186 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 6.4 — Levada Velha do Rabaçal 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 6.4 — Levada Velha do Rabaçal?

In Portugal. The route starts near 32.769, -17.154 — 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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