Old trees
Moss-covered trunks.
Bex Walton from London, England — CC BY 2.0 · Júnio1204 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · GerritR — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Paulo SP/ Wikimedia — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Cristina Perneta — CC BY-SA 4.0
Fanal is an upland area in the north-west of the Portuguese island of Madeira, in the municipality of Porto Moniz, between 1,100 and 1,300 m above sea level. It is famous for its old til trees, a kind of laurel, which grow alone or in small groups across open, grassy slopes. Mosses and other plants cover their twisted trunks and spreading branches, and fog drifts over the plateau on most days, so the place is often called a «fairy forest». Some of the trees are said to be more than 600 years old, which would mean they were already standing when the Portuguese reached Madeira. Fanal is part of Madeira's laurel forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. The forestry post at Fanal has a picnic area with barbecue shelters and drinking fountains, with a grove of old trees opposite. About a kilometre to the north-west lies a small crater pond that fills with water only after heavy rain. The PR 13 trail starts here and leads to viewpoints over the Seixal valley. Fanal lies off the ER 209 road between Ribeira da Janela and the Paul da Serra plateau, about 26 km in a straight line north-west of Funchal. There is no bus service and there are no cafés or shops, so bring water, food and a warm layer. Walking among the trees is free; Madeira's classified trails, including PR 13, require online booking and a fee for non-residents.
Moss-covered trunks.
Often over the plateau.
Fills after rain.
Porto Moniz, Madeira, Portugal
No, you need a car or an organised tour.
On most days, but clear days happen too.