Fanal Forest · Madeira
The til trees
Fanal Forest
Open grassland with ancient laurel trees, best in fog or soft morning light.
- Short walks on marked paths
- Oldest trees are fenced since 2026
Porto Moniz, northwest Madeira
Fanal Forest, Madeira: the complete visitor guide
Centuries-old til laurels on a high plateau that is often wrapped in cloud. Here is how the 2026 access rules work, how to get there, when fog is likely, which trails start here and which tours include it.
Hand-picked tours, honest answers, live prices from GetYourGuide.
Fanal Forest · Madeira
Why go
Why visit Fanal Forest?
Fanal is a stand of centuries-old til trees (Ocotea foetens) on open grassland at roughly 1,100 m, on regional road ER 209 between Ribeira da Janela and the Paul da Serra plateau. Madeira's tourism board notes that some of the trees predate the island's discovery.
It belongs to the Laurisilva of Madeira, the laurel forest listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, and the Madeira Natural Park classifies the area as a Rest and Quiet Reserve. Low cloud often drifts through the trees, which is what most photos show, but fog is never guaranteed.
Since early 2026 the oldest trees are fenced and visitors stay on marked paths. Read the current rules before you go.
- 1999
- Laurisilva of Madeira listed by UNESCO
- ~1,100 m
- Altitude around the Fanal forestry post
- PR13 · PR14
- Official trails that start or end at Fanal
- No bus
- Reach it by car, taxi or tour
Plan your visit
The practical questions, answered one page at a time.
- Complete visitor guide What Fanal is, what you can do there and how long to stay.
- Best Fanal tours Jeep, minibus, private and guided-hike tours from Funchal, compared.
- Getting there Driving from Funchal, parking, taxis and why there is no bus.
- Fog and weather When cloud is likely, and what to expect when it is clear.
- Hiking at Fanal The PR13 and PR14 trails, permits and short walks.
- Photography Light, fog, lenses and shooting within the new paths.
Fanal and northwest Madeira on the map
Trailheads, the forest and the nearby coast. Tap a place for the guide or directions.
- PR13 start: Assobiadores (ER 209) Start of PR13 Vereda do Fanal on the Paul da Serra plateau. Directions
- Fanal forestry post (Posto Florestal do Fanal) End of PR13 and start of PR14, beside the til grove. Directions
- PR14 finish: Curral Falso (ER 209) End of PR14 Levada dos Cedros. Directions
- Porto Moniz natural pools Volcanic rock pools on the northwest tip. Directions
- Ribeira da Janela sea stacks Rock stacks at the mouth of the Ribeira da Janela valley. Directions
- Seixal black sand beach Dark sand beach under green cliffs. Directions
- Paul da Serra plateau Madeira's high, open moorland plateau. Directions
Traveller favourites
Tours travellers book most
West Madeira jeep tours, Fanal hikes and private tours, most with Funchal pickup and free cancellation.
Explore northwest Madeira
Combine Fanal with the northwest coast
Fanal sits above the north-west coast, so most visitors pair it with these stops.
Fanal Forest · Madeira
Porto Moniz natural pools · Madeira
Lava pools
Porto Moniz
Natural volcanic rock pools on the north-west tip, a common stop on west-coast tours.
- Bring swimwear
- Pairs well with Fanal
Natural rock pools · North coast of Madeira
Black sand beach
Seixal
Dark volcanic beach under green cliffs on the north coast.
- Photo stop on many tours
- Rough sea in winter
Jeep tour · Madeira
Your base
Funchal
Madeira's capital, where most tours pick up.
- Hotel pickup options
- Market and old town
Plan like a local
Questions travellers ask us most
FAQ · 8 min read
Best Fanal Forest Tours from Funchal (2026): Compared
The best Fanal Forest tours from Funchal compared: budget minibus, 4x4 jeep, private and guided hike options, with Oct 2026 prices and who each one suits.
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FAQ · 10 min read
Fanal Forest, Madeira: The Complete Visitor Guide (2026)
Fanal Forest in Madeira: what it is, 2026 rules and trail fees, how to get there, when the fog comes, the best walks, tours and what to combine it with.
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Fanal Forest: Tour or Rental Car? Costs, Roads, Fog and Parking
Tour or rental car for Fanal and northwest Madeira? We compare real costs by group size, the ER209 mountain road, fog, parking and flexibility.
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FAQ · 7 min read
What a West Madeira and Fanal Tour Costs in 2026: Price Study
What does a west Madeira or Fanal tour cost in 2026? Median prices for jeep, minibus and private tours, ratings and review data from 33 listings.
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FAQ · 7 min read
Where to Stay for Fanal Forest and Northwest Madeira (2026)
Where to stay for Fanal Forest: Porto Moniz, Seixal, São Vicente, Calheta or Funchal compared, with drive times, pros and cons and who each base suits.
Read the answers →Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Is Fanal Forest free to visit?
Reports from July 2026 say walking in the main Fanal area is still free and needs no booking. A daily visitor cap and a separate access fee for Fanal have been discussed by Madeira's forest institute (IFCN), so check the SIMplifica portal before you go. The official PR13 and PR14 trails require the standard €4.50 trail fee for visitors over 12.
Can you still walk among the trees?
Since early 2026 the oldest trees are fenced and visitors must stay on marked paths and boardwalks, with wardens on site. You can still walk through the forest and see the trees at close range from the paths.
How do I get to Fanal Forest?
By car, taxi or guided tour. There is no bus to Fanal itself. It is on regional road ER 209 between Ribeira da Janela and the Paul da Serra plateau; from Funchal, allow roughly 1 to 1.5 hours by car depending on route and traffic.
When is the best time to see the fog?
Fog is common but never guaranteed. Cloud builds and clears quickly at this altitude, so check a mountain forecast on the day and be flexible. A clear day at Fanal is still worth the trip.
How long do I need?
Allow about an hour for a short walk and photos on the marked paths. The PR13 trail takes about 4 hours one way, and PR14 about 3 hours one way.
See Fanal without driving the mountain roads
Compare Fanal and northwest Madeira tours with live prices. Most can be cancelled for free up to 24 hours before.