The carpark of ER-110 road lies an altitude of 1300 meters above sealevel. It's not unusual to have drop of ten degrees in temperature compared with Funchal. That's why you should also take warm clothes with you, just in case. There is no tunnels, when exploring Rabacal area from here but if you have planned to head to Calheta side you must have flashlite with you. Take packed lunch with you as there is no place to buy anything.
Loads of different routes to explore this area are avialable. From here you must walk down to Rabacal along tarmac road starting behind iron gate. If you wish to go to Lagoa Vento follow The Levada Ribeira grande above the Rabacal road. Further down there is also the path separating to Lagoa Vento from Rabacal road just before Rabacal.
As we move towards the gate, the Paśl da Serra plateau can be seen further on. You can also see the levadaroute running throught heathers on the hillside. The source of this Levada Ribeira Grande is on the head of the Ribeira Grande valley, where there's also nice waterfall to see. It's nice, only 4 kilometer walk and it takes about an hour to explore the route. The start of the walk can be found following the ER-110 few tens of meters to the spot where the levada submerge the road.
Anyway, as we are heading to Rabacal we continue behind the gate along the tarmac road. There is a fine views over the Ribeira da Janela valley by this road. On sunny and clear day you can see the ocean shimmering further on.
Throught the heatherland we go and pass by the River Alecrim on our way. Before arriving to Rabacal you should pay close attention to the right side of the road to see the Lagoa Vento path diverging from the road. The spot is right before the road curve left to Rabacal. If you arrive to the curve, you have missed it. There is no access to Levada do Risco and 25 fontes from Lagoa Vento so you should skip this one if you've planned to see the Risco and 25 Fontes today.(The picture of Lagoa Vento path below)
Soon after the tight curve left, the concrete wall covers the right side of the road and we arrive to Rabacal house. There's a signpost informing the altitude of the place (1065 meters). so, we have walked downhill from 1300 meters. Step down along the stairs to the building.
Behind the house of forrest rangers there's a picnic area where you can take the first break if you wish. You can also head straight to the Risco levada and again to the Levada das 25 fontes by choosing the path on your right. Behind the house there is also steep stairs down to the levadas if you wish to go that way.