PR13 Vereda do Fanal — Attraction in Calheta

One of the most magical hikes in Madeira! 🌿✨ The PR13 Vereda do Fanal takes you through an incredible microclimate where the landscape changes constantly. On many days, the area is wrapped in mist, giving the ancient laurel forest an almost fairytale-like atmosphere. The twisted, centuries-old trees covered in moss are unlike anything else — walking among them feels otherworldly.

The trail can be done as a loop and offers a mix of open ridges with wide views and shaded forest paths. On clear days you may find yourself above the clouds with jaw-dropping panoramas, while on misty days it feels mysterious and quiet, with birdsong echoing through the trees. On the drive there, you’ll also see wind turbines dotting the hillsides, a reminder of Madeira’s unique mix of nature and human presence.

The hike is not too difficult, well-marked, and suitable for most people with decent fitness. It’s a fantastic place for photography, picnics, or just soaking in the beauty of the Laurisilva forest — a UNESCO World Heritage site. Fanal is a place where you can easily spend hours wandering and exploring.

Highly recommended for anyone visiting Madeira — whether you’re a hiker, a nature lover, or simply someone who enjoys magical...

Really enjoyable looped hike. We used the AllTrails app which started us on PR14 and jumped onto PR13 part-way in. 7.5km and four hours in total with photo stops and minor detours. Plenty of changes in terrain (slippery earth tracks through open Fanal grassland, rocky climbs, steps, grassy heath, wide stony paths) and scenery (dripping mossy Fanal forest tunnels, open undulating grassland with cows and twisted ancient trees, foggy gorsey heath, various viewpoints over stunning sheer ravines to valleys beneath and out to the coast) make it constantly interesting and offer a photo opportunity at every turn. It's like a journey through a real-life Lord of the Rings. Layer up as it's windy in the open and the fog can be chilly. Climbs are relatively short but there are some rocky slippery paths so not for the less confident. Highly recommend for variety and...

Very underrated hike in my opinion. A lot of blogs suggest visiting Fanal forest and leaving it at that, but you can do a beautiful and very diverse hike in the surrounding area which varies between misty forest, rocky plateau and junglelike overgrowth.

The path is very doable all the way through and although it has some climbs and drops, I think anyone can do this if they set their mind to it and fit people should have absolutely no issue, even if you go back and forth instead of just one-way.

We tried to walk this as a loop suggested by a hiking app, but it isn't really worth the effort as you and up walking past the roads. I'd strongly recommend to just walk this one to the end and back. It's nice and diverse enough to do so. Should take you around 6ish hours,...