Fanal Lagoon! A place where nature has bestowed its artistic prowess! Discover other alluring attractions on the island by perusing Things To Do In Madeira. For further insights regarding Funchal, explore What To Do In Funchal.
Nestled within the heart of the Laurisilva forest, this oasis of serenity and splendour instils an unparalleled sense of tranquillity and harmony within our souls.
The climate is markedly cooler and breezier than the coastal regions, with clouds seemingly frolicking amidst the mountain peaks. We feel a world away from the trappings of civilisation and the weight of worldly concerns.
Map
- Coordinates: 32.813682, -17.149129
The lagoon is an extinct volcanic crater that gradually filled with water over the ages. Its surface shifts with the changing seasons.
Encircling the lagoon lies an ancient grove of linden trees, some of the oldest in Europe.
They stand as the survivors of time!
With their fissured bark and heart-shaped leaves, these majestic trees reign over the laurel forest, a world heritage site.
Their diminutive, fragrant, white flowers are gathered in pendulous inflorescences, attracting bees with their delightful scent.
How to get here from Funchal
From Funchal, the adventure begins with an hour-and-a-half car journey along the ER101 to the charming village of Porto Moniz, followed by a further stretch of road on the ER209 to the lofty plateau of Paul da Serra (Assobiadores).
We leave our vehicle in a small, complimentary parking area, commencing our thrilling escapade through Fanal, an integral part of Madeira’s Natural Park.
And the most splendid aspect? To reach this enchanting destination, we traverse either of the two trails that exemplify the quintessential Madeiran landscape: the Vereda do Fanal and the Levada dos Cedros.
A veritable feast for the eyes and a balm for the soul.
Vereda do Fanal:
Brace yourselves for a hair-raising hike!
The Vereda do Fanal is among the most emblematic trails on the island of Madeira, spanning approximately 11 km in length with an estimated duration of 4 hours.
Commencing on the Paul da Serra plateau (Assobiadores) along the regional road ER209, this pathway transports us on a varied and enthralling journey through breathtaking landscapes and utterly distinct terrains.
Certain portions of the trail are so expansive that they afford magnificent vistas of the Ribeira da Janela valley and the cerulean sea in the distance as if we have entered a fairytale realm.
The Laurisilva forest, adorned with moss, ferns, and lichens enveloping the trees, is among the most enchanting to be discovered on this wondrous island.
We encounter historical remnants, such as abandoned dwellings and charcoal kilns.
However, the crowning moment of this hike is Fanal Lake.
Levada dos Cedros
This levada, an irrigation channel constructed in the 17th century, was designed to transport water from the Lombo do Cedro springs to the agricultural lands of Ribeira da Janela.
As one of the island’s most ancient levadas, it spans approximately 7 kilometres in length and is anticipated to take around 3 hours to traverse.
The vegetation is so dense that it feels as if we are within a verdant cathedral, where trees serve as pillars and sunrays resemble stained-glass windows.
Throughout this trek, we encounter a myriad of flora, from the mythical Madeiran cedar, the sovereign of this levada, to the rare til and the fragrant laurel.
Moreover, we must not forget the viewpoints along the path, which afford panoramic vistas of the Ribeira da Janela valley and the distant Atlantic Ocean.
Upon reaching the end of the levada at the Curral Falso area, we are gratitude filled with the enveloping nature that surrounded us throughout our journey.
What a marvellous excursion!
Things to do nearby
We couldn’t resist exploring other remarkable sites in the region!
We ventured to the Miradouro do Véu da Noiva (ER101) and left astonished by the colossal waterfall resembling a white veil cascading into the sea!
Speaking of the sea, the Porto Moniz Pools are simply out of this world!
And the wonders don’t stop there: the Seixal pools are another extraordinary rarity, formed by volcanic rock and perfect for a refreshing dip!
