💭 Thinking
How this was derived · 1 step
- Levada dos Cedros 4.5 Directions
- Fanal Short Loop 4.6 Directions
This is a community route mapped on AllTrails — not part of Madeira's official PR (Percurso Recomendado) trail network managed by IFCN (the regional government's forests & nature authority). That means it has no official open/closed status and no guarantee of signage or maintenance — check access and conditions locally before setting out.
| Type | Loop |
| Length | 1.9 km |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Estimated time | 30 min – 1 hr |
| Rating | ★ 4.6 from 385 hiker reviews on AllTrails ↗ |
| Location | Fanal, Paúl da Serra plateau, Porto Moniz municipality |
Fanal, on the Paúl da Serra plateau, is one of Madeira's most emblematic landscapes — famous for its centuries-old laurel forest (Laurissilva, a UNESCO World Heritage site) and for often being shrouded in mystical mist. This short circular route winds through moss-covered woods, green pastures and gentle hills, letting you discover an almost untouched place of extreme tranquillity. On clear stretches you get wonderful views over the island's valleys and mountains.
- Directions to trailhead ↗ (Google Maps will route from wherever you are)
The closest official trail is PR 14 – Levada dos Cedros, just a 2-minute drive away (0.4 km). It's a moderate 7.2 km levada walk from Fanal to Curral Falso (≈3 hours), rated ★ 4.5 from 1,144 reviews on AllTrails, and it does have official IFCN status and a €4.50 access fee (via SIMplifica). If you'd prefer a longer, officially maintained trail in the same area, that's the one.
⚠️ Since the Fanal Short Loop isn't an official trail, there's no status update system for it. Check conditions locally before you go — and note that Fanal sits at around 1,100 m altitude, so weather can change fast.
Want me to check the mountain weather forecast and IPMA warnings for the Fanal area before you head up?





