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- Levada dos Cedros 4.5 Directions
- Vereda do Fanal 4.4 Directions
- Vereda da Ribeira da Janela 4.4 Directions
The route you're looking for is a community trail mapped on AllTrails — officially called "Ribeira Funda Viewpoint – Rocha dos Ingleses – Lagoa do Fanal". It's one of the most popular walks in the Fanal area, rated 4.5★ from 346 hiker reviews on AllTrails.
⚠️ Important: This is a community-mapped route — not part of Madeira's official PR (Percurso Recomendado) trail network managed by IFCN (the regional government's forests & nature authority). It therefore has no official open/closed status and no maintenance or signage guarantee. Check access and conditions locally before setting out.
| Distance | 3.4 km (loop) |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Estimated time | 1–1.5 hours |
| Route type | Loop |
| Area | Madeira Natural Park (Laurissilva Forest — UNESCO World Heritage) |
The trail crosses through the Laurissilva forest, classified as a World Natural Heritage site by UNESCO since 1999 and part of the European Natura 2000 Network. Highlights along the route include:
- Ribeira Funda viewpoint — sweeping views over the deep valley
- Rocha dos Ingleses — a dramatic rock formation
- Lagoa do Fanal — the seasonal winter lagoon surrounded by ancient, moss-covered Til trees
- Green landscapes and fresh mountain air throughout
The trailhead is in the Fanal area, on the Paúl da Serra plateau in the municipality of Porto Moniz.
If you'd prefer a trail with official status and IFCN maintenance, the Fanal area has several nearby:
| Trail | PR Code | Distance | Difficulty | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Levada dos Cedros | PR 14 | 7.2 km | Moderate | 3 hrs |
| Vereda do Fanal | PR 13 | 10.8 km | Moderate | 4 hrs |
| Vereda da Ribeira da Janela | PR 15 | 2.7 km | Moderate | 1.5 hrs |
These all require an access fee of €4.50 (visitors over 12; free for 12 and under), payable via the SIMplifica portal.
Want me to check the mountain weather forecast and any IPMA warnings for the day you're planning to go?





