Vereda do Fanal EN

PR 13 - Vereda do Fanal

Datasheet

Start / End

Ribeira da Janela - Seixal

Difficulty

Medium

Dizziness

Little

Way

One way

Distance

11,4 Km

Duration

4h - 4h30min

Altitude Max / Min

1437m / 1105m

Terrain

Irregular

Como Chegar

O ponto de partida do percurso que pretende efetuar encontra-se fixado no mapa abaixo. Por definição, o trajeto do mapa evidencia a rota a partir do centro da vila do Porto Moniz.

Para calcular o como chegar até o início da caminhada tendo por base outro local, basta inserir a sua localização, seguindo abaixo as indicações.

How to Arrive

Your starting point is defined on the map below. By default, the map always shows the route starting from the centre of the village of Porto Moniz.

To calculate how to arrive from a different starting point, simply enter the location and follow the indications below.

Как дойти

Ваша отправная точка определяется на карте ниже. По умолчанию карта всегда показывает маршрут, начиная от центра деревни Porto Moniz.

Для того чтобы рассчитать как дойти из другой отправной точки, просто переместите свое местоположение и следуйте новым указаниям.

ANFAHRT

Ihr Ausgangspunkt ist auf der unten gezeigten Karte markiert. Als Ausgangspunkt ist generell das Zentrum von Porto Moniz eingestellt.

Um eine anderen Startpunkt zu wählen, geben Sie einfach den entsprechenden Ort ein und befolgen die unten angegebene Beschreibung.

Comment y arriver

Le point de départ du parcours que vous choisissez de faire se trouve affiché dans le plan ci-dessous. En règle générale, le trajet du plan met en évidence le parcours à partir du centre de la Ville de Porto Moniz.

Pour voir comment arriver jusqu´au départ ayant pour base un autre lieu, il suffit d´introduire votre localisation, suivant les indications plus bas.

The route

The Fanal trail is one of the most emblematic walks on the Island. Nestled in between the Laurissilva forest and the moorlands, this route is stunning come rain or shine.

The trail begins on the ER 209 in Pico dos Assobiadouros, crossing the road a few times before reaching Fanal.

Besides being the starting point, this area also separates the municipalities of Porto Moniz and Calheta.

Following the signpost towards Fanal, the trail unveils not only fantastic tunnels formed by the undulating vegetation, but also incredible views of the Rabaçal valley.

As you advance, now overlooking Chão da Ribeira, you will be treated with views of the majestic waterfalls that plunge down into the valley. With every descent, you will be transported into the heart of the forest made up of various shades of green.

The picnic area is very sought after on weekends when Madeiran families come together to socialize and eat local delicacies like the traditional Espetada.

Once at the picnic area, continue towards the road following the signpost. After a few more steps you will come to a viewpoint that benefits from 360º views over Paul da Serra and Rabaçal.

At junctions, you should always continue in the same direction. After encountering a small stream and a wooden bridge, climb towards the next junction that will lead you to the road.

Just past the halfway mark, you will find two more signposts indicating Fanal and Paul da Serra. Follow the directions towards Fanal. At this stage of the walk, you will be lead into the forest where you will find impressive trees such as Fetid and Canary Laurel completely covered in lichens.

The path widens and you will likely come across some of the cows that call these mountains home. Although accustomed to human presence, cows are very sensitive (and large) creatures especially when accompanied by calves. Keep to yourself and do not disturb the wildlife.

Further ahead, you will come across an area destroyed by a forest fire that occurred in 2012. The damage is still visible and reminds us of just how fragile island ecosystems are. Be responsible and do not light fires in inappropriate places.

At the last junction with the dirt road, there is a right-hand turn that ends up at Fio however, the path to Fanal continues ahead. You may go down to Fio to observe how the locals used to transport supplies up and down the valley using a steel cable (fio). Head back the way you came to rejoin the main trail.

From here on out the landscape is simply breath-taking. Part of the Madeira National Park, the tremendous Fetid Laurels make Fanal one of the most beautiful places on the Island.

Mist and fog are very frequent here due to the high altitude and although quite stunning can be dangerous. Take care not to get lost and keep warm as the temperatures can drop rapidly.

To complete the hike, walk down towards the forestry house where you will find the ER 209.

The Fanal trail is quite long, so it is advisable to organise transport in advance. There are hotels in Porto Moniz that provide this service as well as public transport companies.

GPS track

For your safety and convenience, the Municipality of Porto Moniz has provided the Global Positioning System (GPS) tracks. This way you can plan, visualise and organise in an objective manner the routes we have for you.

Make sure that you are physically able to do your desired walk and test the GPS file before going.