HPB Encosta Cabo Girao: Risco Waterfall
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 3.82 mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,650 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation loss
- 1,650 ft
- Max elevation
- 4,203 ft
- TrailRank
- 21
- Min elevation
- 3,374 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Coordinates
- 191
- Uploaded
- February 16, 2023
- Recorded
- February 2023
near Ribeira do Raposo, Madeira (Portugal)
Viewed 90 times, downloaded 2 times
Itinerary description
The very popular short out and back walk to the great waterfall at Risco is sheer delight, without hazards and with the optional aid of a shuttle bus to obviate the otherwise considerable ascent back to the car park.
Getting there by car / taxi: From HPB use the motorway towards Ribeira Brava. After the long tunnel and the end of the motorway, go right to rise gently towards Sao Vivente. In about 4 miles turn left for Serra de Agua signed Encoumeada Pass. At the top of the pass turn left, pass the souvenir shop and miradouro and contine to rise towards the Paul da Sera, passing through three tunnels on the way. Continue along the Paul da Serra road towards Porto Moniz for a further 4 miles, passing crossroads and the hotel / restaurant / bar / souvenir complex ‘Jungel Rain’. 1km after Jungle Rain there is a car park on the right by a watch-tower.
Start - From the car park, after passing a vehicular barrier, a narrow tarmac road winds downhill to the Rabacal forestry house 600ft. below. Passing through lush vegetation, including tree heathers, this makes a pleasant route. (However, the shuttle bus operates all the year round, with return or one-way tickets).
1. By whatever means, reach the substantial Rabacal forestry house, with picnic tables and public conveniences.
There are signposts pointing the way to 2 popular walks - that to the ‘25 fontes’ (sprints) has vertiginous sections.
Go along the path signposted to both, soon descending a considerable flight of rough steps to reach the Levada do Risco. Go to the right along the inviting path, to a sign posted fork. Follow ‘Risco 0.9km’ to the right, by the side of the levada, richly vegetated in this wetter part of the island. There is a short section of the path protected by a handrail before the viewing area at the head of the valley is reached, with the great waterfall fully revealed.
2. Return to the Rabacal forestry house by the same route. A left fork before the foot of the steps provides an alternative section, a broad track rising quite steeply up to the bus turning area above the forestry house.
Most walkers will be forgiven for using the shuttle bus (good value fare!) to avoid the long slog up the road back to the car park.
Getting there by car / taxi: From HPB use the motorway towards Ribeira Brava. After the long tunnel and the end of the motorway, go right to rise gently towards Sao Vivente. In about 4 miles turn left for Serra de Agua signed Encoumeada Pass. At the top of the pass turn left, pass the souvenir shop and miradouro and contine to rise towards the Paul da Sera, passing through three tunnels on the way. Continue along the Paul da Serra road towards Porto Moniz for a further 4 miles, passing crossroads and the hotel / restaurant / bar / souvenir complex ‘Jungel Rain’. 1km after Jungle Rain there is a car park on the right by a watch-tower.
Start - From the car park, after passing a vehicular barrier, a narrow tarmac road winds downhill to the Rabacal forestry house 600ft. below. Passing through lush vegetation, including tree heathers, this makes a pleasant route. (However, the shuttle bus operates all the year round, with return or one-way tickets).
1. By whatever means, reach the substantial Rabacal forestry house, with picnic tables and public conveniences.
There are signposts pointing the way to 2 popular walks - that to the ‘25 fontes’ (sprints) has vertiginous sections.
Go along the path signposted to both, soon descending a considerable flight of rough steps to reach the Levada do Risco. Go to the right along the inviting path, to a sign posted fork. Follow ‘Risco 0.9km’ to the right, by the side of the levada, richly vegetated in this wetter part of the island. There is a short section of the path protected by a handrail before the viewing area at the head of the valley is reached, with the great waterfall fully revealed.
2. Return to the Rabacal forestry house by the same route. A left fork before the foot of the steps provides an alternative section, a broad track rising quite steeply up to the bus turning area above the forestry house.
Most walkers will be forgiven for using the shuttle bus (good value fare!) to avoid the long slog up the road back to the car park.
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