Fanal Forest
Forest in São VicenteFree
Portugal
About
A high-altitude remnant of ancient Laurisilva forest featuring gnarled, centuries-old laurel trees on the Paul da Serra plateau. It feels like a mysterious, otherworldly fairytale landscape often shrouded in thick mist.
Written from public posts on Instagram. Updated Sep 2026.
Worth it?
Photographers chasing mood will love Fanal, and so will anyone building a Madeira itinerary that mixes coast and interior, which is how the posts include it. Fog rolls in often and gives the gnarled laurels their fairytale look, so a cloudy day is no reason to cancel. Some trees are over 1,000 years old, and cows wander between them. It costs nothing and links to the PR13 trail.
Before you go
- Do not cancel for fog; mist is a frequent feature of the forest.
- Walk part of the Vereda do Fanal (PR13) trail for more of the old trees.
- Pair it with Caminho do Pináculo e Folhadal, another São Vicente hike on MapDreamy.
Highlights
- Ancient laurel trees over 1,000 years old
- Vereda do Fanal (PR13) hiking trail
- Frequent atmospheric fog
- Free-roaming cows in the forest
- Part of the Madeira Natural Park
Details
- Address
- Portugal
- Coordinates
- 32.80961, -17.14386
Good to know
Fanal Forest is a forest in São Vicente, Portugal. A high-altitude remnant of ancient Laurisilva forest featuring gnarled, centuries-old laurel trees on the Paul da Serra plateau. It feels like a mysterious, otherworldly fairytale landscape often shrouded in thick mist.
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