Vereda do Fanal (PR 13): the walk from Paul da Serra down to the Fanal forest

Edited by Roman Antonov · route details as of 20 September 2026

PR 13 runs 10.8 km one way from Assobiadores on Paul da Serra to the Fanal forest. Arrange transport from Fanal if you want to walk just one way. Book an entry slot on SIMplifica before you go.

The laurel forest on the descent from Paul da Serra to Fanal
Photo: GerritR, CC BY-SA 4.0
Status
OpenOpen. IFCN table dated 14 September 2026 · checked by islandmadeira.com 20 September 2026 at 19:32, Madeira time.Fetch the current trail status from the IFCN page; one live request per 30 minutes for the whole site, otherwise the last check is shown.
Length
10.8 kmone way, from Assobiadores on Paul da Serra to Fanal; the table lists no return.
Time on the route board
4 h
Highest and lowest point
1,420 m and 1,130 m
Start and finish
Assobiadores (ER209), on the Paul da Serra plateau to Fanal, by the forest station
Fee
€4.50 per person, booked onlineBooking on the SIMplifica portal, fees as of 2 June 2026. Free for children aged 12 or under and for Madeira residents with their resident card, still with a booking.
At the start
information board (Assobiadores)
Weather now
24.9 °C at Porto Moniz, 6 mThe nearest IPMA station, observed 20 September 2026 at 18:00, Madeira time

What the Vereda do Fanal walk is like

The walk starts at Assobiadores on the ER209. From about 1,400 m, the path drops to about 1,200 m by kilometre 4. It then rolls gently down to 1,130 m at Fanal. There's no big climb in this direction.

The whole route lies in Madeira's native laurel forest, the Laurissilva. It became a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site in December 1999. It's also part of the Natura 2000 network.

At Fio, you pass the remains of a steel cable system. It carried firewood and brush from Fanal down to Chão da Ribeira. These supplies were for the farmers of Chão da Ribeira and Seixal. There are several viewpoints along the way.

What you'll find at Fanal

Fanal is a small volcanic crater. It's a rest and quiet reserve of the Madeira Natural Park. The ancient til trees are Ocotea foetens. Most predate the island's discovery.

The route ends by the forest station. There's a forest guard post and an information board at the finish. You'll also find a picnic area. There are viewpoints nearby.

Fog on the Vereda do Fanal

Frequent fog can make you lose your bearings on PR 13. Keep to the trail. Bring warm clothing for the changing weather.

The nearest IPMA weather station is Porto Moniz. Check the weather page before setting off.

A weather warning does not automatically close the route. Check the current IFCN status on the walking routes page before your walk.

Fee and booking

PR 13 costs €4.50 per person. Book online through SIMplifica. IFCN offices cannot take bookings or payments.

Register before choosing your date and entry slot. You have about 15 minutes of tolerance before or after your slot. Slots close when full. You can book for today or tomorrow while spaces remain.

Children aged 12 or under walk free. Madeira residents need their resident card and citizen card for free entry. People with a disability of 60% or more qualify for free entry with one companion. Everyone still needs to register and book.

Two or more routes cost €9 for one day. The 3-day fee is €22.50. The 7-day fee is €52.50. These fees exclude PR 1.

Each route needs its own booking. If you also walk PR 14, reserve an entry slot for that route too. SIMplifica applies the cheapest fee automatically.

You can reschedule or request a refund only if IFCN closes or restricts the route. Send your request to IFCN by email within 10 working days. You lose the fee for a change of mind, rain, illness or a missed flight.

Getting to Assobiadores and back from Fanal

Start at Assobiadores on the ER209 on the Paul da Serra plateau. The start coordinates are 32°46'1.46"N 17°6'27.84"W. There is an information board here. A picnic area is marked near the start.

The finish is by the forest station at Fanal, on the ER209. Its coordinates are 32°48'29.91"N 17°8'31.86"W.

Walking there and back makes it 21.6 km. You'll climb on the return to Assobiadores. Arrange your return transport before you start if you only want to walk one way. Call Táxis Porto Moniz on +351 291 852 243 to discuss the journey.

A guided walk or a forest stop

A guide is optional on classified routes. On Thursdays, Walk with a local covers Fanal and the Levada dos Cedros. It's a 12 km walk with a local guide, with pickup and transport included.

I'd look at the west 4x4 trip if you want a forest stop during a day out. It visits Fanal.

Vereda do Fanal, PR 13
Photo: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0
Vereda do Fanal, PR 13
Photo: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0

What the route board asks

  • Fog is frequent here and can cause disorientation: do not leave the trail.
  • The weather changes often: take warm clothing.

From the IFCN board at the start of the route. Taxis listed on the board: Táxis Porto Moniz +351 291 852 243.

Guided walks on this route

  • Walk with a localThursdays: Fanal and the Levada dos Cedros, 12 km, with a local guide. From €50 per adult, 4 hours to 6 hours. 4.95/5 from 66 reviews, combined Viator and Tripadvisor; on Viator alone 5.0 from 27 reviews.

Prices and ratings as of 20 September 2026. All guided levada walks in Madeira → · All 4x4 jeep tours of west Madeira →

4x4 days that stop here

Routes next door

Questions before you go

How long is the Vereda do Fanal?

PR 13 is 10.8 km one way from Assobiadores to the forest station at Fanal. A return walk covers 21.6 km. You'll climb back towards the Paul da Serra plateau on the return leg.

Is the Vereda do Fanal hard?

From Assobiadores, there's no big climb over the 10.8 km walk. The overall drop towards Fanal is about 290 m. Fog can make it hard to follow the route. Walking back makes it 21.6 km with an uphill return. I'd arrange transport from Fanal if you want to avoid that climb.

Do I need to book PR 13?

Yes. Book a PR 13 entry slot on SIMplifica before you go. The fee is €4.50 per person. You still need a booking if you qualify for free entry. If you're walking PR 14 the same day, reserve a slot for that route too. The two routes cost €9 for the day.

Can I visit Fanal forest without walking PR 13?

Yes. You can visit on a west jeep tour with a stop in the forest. I'd choose this if you want to see the til trees during a day out. Most of these trees predate the island's discovery.

What should I do if Fanal is foggy?

Stay on the trail when Fanal is foggy. Frequent fog can make you lose your bearings. Take warm clothing for the changing weather. Check the route's current status on the walking routes page before you set off.

How do PR 13 and PR 14 connect at Fanal?

PR 13 ends at Fanal after 10.8 km from Assobiadores. PR 14 Levada dos Cedros starts there with about 1,200 m of wooden steps down to the levada, then follows it 7.2 km to Curral Falso. PR 15 Vereda da Ribeira da Janela links Curral Falso with Ribeira da Janela over 2.7 km. If you combine routes, book each one separately.

Sources

  • IFCN, table of classified routes: status and length. IFCN table dated · checked by islandmadeira.com ; re-read every few hours.
  • IFCN, route board PR 13 at the start of the route: distance, time, heights, description and cautions, read 20 September 2026.
  • IFCN, fees and bookings FAQ, updated 2 June 2026, read 14 September 2026.
  • Viator, tour prices, ratings and programmes, as of 20 September 2026.

Who checked this

Roman Antonov, editor. The status comes from the forest service table, the figures from the board at the start of the route and the fee rules from the IFCN FAQ, each with its date above. If something on the ground has changed, tell me.

Tour links go to Viator, where we may earn a commission at no cost to you. It does not change which walks are listed. How we earn.