Vereda do Fanal
The Vereda do Fanal is an 11 km circular walk (PR 13) through the Fanal laurisilva forest on Madeira's north-western Paul da Serra plateau, rated easy to moderate and taking 3.5–4.5 hours among 500-year-old til (Ocotea foetens) trees frequently wrapped in low cloud. The forest is a UNESCO World Heritage relic of the Tertiary period and the single most photographed woodland on the island. The trailhead is the Casa do Fanal at 1,150 m elevation, a 1 hour 15 minute drive from Funchal across the Paul da Serra moorland.
What is Vereda do Fanal?
The Vereda do Fanal is an 11 km circular walk (PR 13) through the Fanal laurisilva forest on Madeira's north-western Paul da Serra plateau, rated easy to moderate and taking 3.5–4.5 hours among 500-year-old til (Ocotea foetens) trees frequently wrapped in low cloud. The forest is a UNESCO World Heritage relic of the Tertiary period and the single most photographed woodland on the island. The trailhead is the Casa do Fanal at 1,150 m elevation, a 1 hour 15 minute drive from Funchal across the Paul da Serra moorland.
Key facts
- Trail code
- PR 13 (Vereda do Fanal)
- Distance
- 11 km circular
- Duration
- 3.5–4.5 hours
- Difficulty
- Easy to moderate
- Start point
- Casa do Fanal (1,150 m)
- Elevation gain
- ≈ 300 m cumulative
- Habitat
- Ancient laurisilva (til trees, UNESCO World Heritage)
- Best conditions
- Misty mornings — fog defines the Fanal aesthetic
About Vereda do Fanal
Vereda do Fanal sits in the volcanic north-west corner of the island and is an accessible walk suitable for most fitness levels. Over its 10.8 km point-to-point route, Vereda do Fanal climbs around 200 m of cumulative gain. Most walkers take between 4 and 5 hours, depending on pace and how often they stop for photos.
Bring more water than you think you need and pace yourself — the second half is where most people struggle. The route is part of Madeira's signed network of official PR ("Pequena Rota") trails, catalogued as PR13. The PR sign at the trailhead is your reassurance, not a promise — weather on the central ridge can shift inside an hour.
PR13 Vereda do Fanal crosses the Paúl da Serra plateau from Assobiadores on the ER209 down to the Fanal picnic area, passing through ancient laurisilva forest the whole way. The full one-way route is 10.8–11 km with around 487 m of total elevation gain, topping out near 1,420 m and finishing at 1,150 m. Most walkers take 3.5–4 hours. The path is well-trodden but has long muddy sections, rocky steps, and several short ascents and descents — moderate in name, but the distance and conditions make it harder work than the gradient suggests.
Fog is the trail's defining feature, especially October–March, and it is what people come for: the gnarled 600-year-old til trees at Fanal lose their definition in mist and become silhouettes. On a clear day the forest itself is still good but loses most of its atmosphere. Navigation gets tricky in dense fog because some intermediate sections of the trail are poorly signposted; download an offline map (Wikiloc, AllTrails) before starting and don't rely on phone signal up on the plateau.
What to know before you go
- Wear proper hiking shoes with grip — basalt gets slippery when damp, and most levada paths have a drop on one side.
- Pack two litres of water per person — there are no refill points on the route — and a light fleece for the ridge wind.
- A small head torch is useful in case the route enters any tunnel section.
- Mid-morning is fine, but earlier starts mean clearer views and emptier paths.
- Check the official 'Estado dos Trilhos' status before you go — trails close after storms or rockfalls.
- Waterproof boots with good grip — long muddy sections are normal year-round.
- Linear walk: arrange a return transfer from Fanal or do an out-and-back from the picnic area for a shorter day.
- Bring layers: 10 °C cooler than the coast and the weather changes in minutes on the plateau.
- No facilities or water on the route. The Fanal end has parking only.
- Early start beats the crowds, especially on weekends when Fanal fills with day-trippers from 10:00.
Best time to visit
May, June, September and early October combine long daylight, stable weather and lower trail traffic. Winter is fine for the lower levadas but unreliable on the high ridges.
Location
Porto Moniz, Madeira · Open in OpenStreetMap · Google Maps
32.80866, -17.14412
GPX track
Download a GPX file for Vereda do Fanal to load into your watch, phone or GPS device. Always carry an offline map and follow the painted PR waymarks on the ground — GPX is a guide, not a substitute for navigation.
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Preview only. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
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Frequently asked
Why is Fanal forest famous?+
Fanal preserves some of the oldest til trees on Earth — gnarled, lichen-covered laurisilva specimens estimated at 500+ years. When cloud rolls across the Paul da Serra plateau and wraps the trees, the forest takes on the otherworldly look that has made it Madeira's most photographed woodland.
Do I need fog to enjoy Fanal forest?+
No, but the iconic photos depend on it. Fog usually forms when warm humid south-coast air meets the cool plateau — most common early morning and late afternoon, and far more likely between October and April than in dry summer months.
How do I get to Fanal forest?+
Drive the ER 209 across the Paul da Serra plateau from Porto Moniz or Estanquinhos. The Casa do Fanal car park is signposted from the road. It is a 1 hour 15 minute drive from Funchal and there is no public transport.
Is the Vereda do Fanal walk hard?+
No. The circular trail follows wide forest tracks with gentle ascents totalling around 300 m. The main risk is disorientation when fog is thick — the route is signposted but visibility can drop to under 20 m. Carry a phone with offline maps.
Can I just visit Fanal without doing the full walk?+
Yes. The most photographed cluster of til trees is a 5-minute walk from the Casa do Fanal car park on the open meadow. Many visitors come for that view alone, especially when fog is forecast, without committing to the 11 km circuit.
How long does the Vereda do Fanal hike take?+
Most hikers complete Vereda do Fanal in around 4 hours, though slower paces or photo stops can push it to 6 hours. The route is 10.8 km long with about 200 m of elevation gain.
Is Vereda do Fanal suitable for beginners?+
Yes. Vereda do Fanal is rated easy and is suitable for most fitness levels, including families with older children. Sturdy shoes are still recommended.
Do I need a guide for Vereda do Fanal?+
No, Vereda do Fanal is a signed official trail and most fit hikers walk it independently. Local guides are widely available if you prefer transport, route certainty, or commentary on the landscape.
Is Vereda do Fanal free to walk?+
The Fanal picnic area and forest tracks around it remain free and unticketed. The full PR13 Vereda do Fanal, however, is now a classified IFCN trail and requires a paid Simplifica booking from 1 January 2026 — if you want a free Fanal experience, stick to the picnic-area paths and short loops rather than the full PR13.
When is the best time to walk Vereda do Fanal?+
Foggy mornings between October and March give Fanal its trademark atmospheric look — that's when serious landscape photographers go. Clear summer days are still pleasant but more ordinary visually. Start by 09:00 in any season to avoid weekend crowds at the Fanal end.
Plan around Vereda do Fanal
The nearest town, viewpoint and walk — the three things most visitors pair with Vereda do Fanal in a day.
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