las-fanal
Fanal
Fanal is a remnant of Madeira's UNESCO-protected Laurissilva forest, home to centuries-old til trees twisted into surreal shapes by wind and time. Frequent fog blankets the forest at ~1,300 m altitude, creating an atmosphere that feels plucked from a fantasy film. Drive up via the ER110 across Paul da Serra — mornings tend to be foggier, but that's when the magic peaks.
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Good to know
The fairy-tale atmosphere depends on fog — autumn and winter mornings (before 9 am) give the best chance. In summer, even early mornings are usually clear; the ancient trees are still beautiful, but far less dramatic than the famous photos.
The ancient trees are a short walk from the car park. Trail PR13 passes through here if you want a longer hike, but most visitors just explore on foot for 30 minutes.
Trail conditions can change quickly. Always check the linked official source before you go. Sources & methodology Report a data issue