Ribeira Grande waterfall via the Levada do Alecrim

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A peaceful levada, shaded by heather, to discover the Lagoa da Dona Beja waterfall, followed by a descent to the Ribeira Grande waterfall, downstream of the Lagoa do Vento.

Details

n°50033914
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.10 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 481 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 490 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,332 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,120 m
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Photos

Cascade do Alecrim

Description of the walk

Reach the Rabaçal site via the Route de Calheta, the ER211, with cows along the way, before arriving in the cloudy mist of Rabaçal.

(S/E) The Levada do Alecrim (PR®6.2) can be taken from the start, after the barrier on the right. A beautiful path that narrows more and more to follow the contours of the valley. This levada is very shady (yes, the sun has sometimes appeared) under the tree heather, which is low from time to time. In the stream, Portuguese trout are probably waiting for their prey or some ephemeral food. There are numerous water bridges (often dry) crossing the levada. Reach the first semi-circular reservoir.

(1) Change direction, branching off to the left over a weir.
If you listen carefully, you will hear toads in the residual pools on the side of the levada. The sound of forest finches and the sight of these Portuguese trout punctuated our walk up to the first staircase, some forty steps, only at the edge of the only water slide of the hike.

(2) Then continue, almost level, along the levada where small waterfalls add to its flow.

(3) Let go to the left of the path that you will take a little later and continue to the right to discover the Levada do Alecrim water intake, just before the pretty Lagoa da Dona Beja waterfall. There are still some steps on the left-hand side of the stream bank and, if you go up a few dozen metres, you can see the reservoir upstream of the waterfall.

(4) Follow the path back to the start of the Verada Francisco Achadinha trail, which joins up with the PR®6.3 you saw on the outward journey.

(3) Turn right and take the steps down 200 m, a very short distance, to reach the junction with PR®6.3. Be careful on the way down, as the ground is slippery, alternating between earthen steps and stone slabs.

(5) Fork right to descend to the superb Ribeira Grande waterfall, which is at least 30 metres long.

(6) Return to the junction.

(5) Go straight on up the PR®6.3, the Verada da Lagoa do Vento. Join a road.

(7) Turn left, cross the Ribeira do Alecrim and return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,280 m - Site car park - Panorama
  2. 1 : km 0.83 - alt. 1,296 m - Weir
  3. 2 : km 1.73 - alt. 1,290 m - Stairs, water slide
  4. 3 : km 2.62 - alt. 1,306 m - Junction. Return trip to the waterfall
  5. 4 : km 3.58 - alt. 1,332 m - Lagoa da Dona Beja waterfall
  6. 5 : km 4.97 - alt. 1,175 m - Junction. Return trip to the waterfall
  7. 6 : km 5.17 - alt. 1,151 m - Ribeira Grande waterfall
  8. 7 : km 6.56 - alt. 1,123 m - Road junction, left
  9. S/E : km 8.1 - alt. 1,280 m - Car park and panorama

Notes

No special equipment is required, the only slight difficulty being the descent to the second waterfall from the point . Make sure you are well shod, as the ground can be slippery in wet weather. Up to the road, the path is shaded (4/5 ofthe hike).

(7) It is possible to go back down to the right towards Rabaçal, where there is a reception point.

Worth a visit

The site is open to canyoning enthusiasts.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 7 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
Japyb65
Japyb65

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The hike along the levada is very pleasant and I recommend returning via the same route. The return journey via the access road to the fountains is mainly tarmac and very busy.

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PierrickBZH
PierrickBZH

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A quick and easy hike, which you can extend by continuing further along the path to the source of the Lévada. There is also a reservoir (a very large dam) near point 5 (a 10-minute climb for a superb view). The second part of the hike is not very interesting, with lots of steps downhill and then a paved road back to the starting point.

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spirou56
spirou56

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very nice with beautiful waterfalls, but be careful if it rains as there are many stone and wooden steps.

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Rams26
Rams26

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pretty walk in the shade of the heather, with no major difficulties apart from the height difference, most of which is on steps. Beware of slippery ground in wet weather.

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Moulines49
Moulines49

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Lovely, varied walk along a levada. Beautiful waterfalls, but the descent to the second waterfall is a little steep. The final stretch on the tarmac road is long and uninteresting.

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Bertrandgross
Bertrandgross

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant and accessible walk, best enjoyed in dry weather. Some places are slippery. The end of the route is less pleasant as it is on a small tarmac road.

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Berg-Candolfi
Berg-Candolfi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful route along a levada, a little marred by groups of tourists who were difficult to get past. The waterfall is well worth the diversions. My daughter even had a swim there. The only disappointing part is the tarmac road for about 2 km to get to the car park.

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