THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Follow a high plateau into one of Madeira’s best-preserved laurel forests on this full-day 11.5 km walk from Paul da Serra to Fanal. Expect shifting weather, ancient trees, and sweeping valley views.
Follow a high plateau into one of Madeira’s best-preserved laurel forests on this full-day 11.5 km walk from Paul da Serra to Fanal. Expect shifting weather, ancient trees, and sweeping valley views.
You set off from Paul da Serra under a wide Atlantic sky, boots crunching on the plateau’s coarse grass as wind tugs at your jacket and the day opens toward the west. The path drops and rises, wind-shaped moor giving way to fern and the dark, dripping heart of Madeira’s laurel forest. By afternoon the trees of Fanal stand like ancient architects, trunks bent and braided by fog and time.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Lido Tours · Fanal, Madeira
You set off from Paul da Serra under a wide Atlantic sky, boots crunching on the plateau’s coarse grass as wind tugs at your jacket and the day opens toward the west. The path drops and rises, wind-shaped moor giving way to fern and the dark, dripping heart of Madeira’s laurel forest. By afternoon the trees of Fanal stand like ancient architects, trunks bent and braided by fog and time.
Geology here is volcanic: basalt ridges carved by rain and streams create the deep ravines you look down into and the gentle slopes you follow. The Laurissilva—remnant subtropical forest recognized by UNESCO—dominates the route, composed of dense laurels, til, and heather that host endemic plants and songbirds. Culturally, this landscape sustained local chestnut and laurel uses for centuries; old levadas (irrigation channels) and shepherd tracks still guide the walk.
Expect 11–12 km of varied terrain: plateau scrub, gravel tracks, forested singletrack and occasional slick roots. Weather changes fast; fog and brief downpours are part of the day, and the light through the canopy can turn the forest into a living room of moss and shadow. Streams dare you to step close for a drink, while the Atlantic sits distant below, a steady presence.
Practical guidance: bring layered waterproofs, a packed picnic (no services on route), sturdy boots with good grip, and 4–6 liters of water split among carriers. Start early for clearer views and avoid afternoons when wind and cloud build. If you have moderate fitness and steady footing, this walk rewards with old-growth forest, valley views, and a genuine slice of Madeira’s wild core.
moderate.
6–8 hours.
Suitable for walkers with regular fitness; you should be comfortable with sustained uphill/downhill sections and uneven terrain.
The route is about 11–12 km (7.15 miles) with mixed terrain: plateau tracks, gravel paths and forest singletrack with roots and occasional rocky sections.
No—participants must bring their own picnic and water; the operator explicitly asks you to carry lunch.
Moderate fitness is required; regular walkers comfortable with 4–6 hours of sustained walking and some elevation change will be fine.
If the operator cancels for poor weather you’ll be offered an alternative date or full refund; be prepared for rapid weather changes yourself.
The walk follows old levada paths and shepherd routes across Paul da Serra; the Laurissilva forests here are remnants of a once-wider subtropical wood that shaped local livelihoods.
Laurissilva is a protected, UNESCO-recognized habitat; stick to paths to avoid trampling sensitive understorey and follow leave-no-trace practices to protect endemic species.
Lido Tours operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
You set off from Paul da Serra under a wide Atlantic sky, boots crunching on the plateau’s coarse grass as wind tugs at your jacket and the day opens toward the west. The path drops and rises, wind-shaped moor giving way to fern and the dark, dripping heart of Madeira’s laurel forest. By afternoon the trees of Fanal stand like ancient architects, trunks bent and braided by fog and time.
You set off from Paul da Serra under a wide Atlantic sky, boots crunching on the plateau’s coarse grass as wind tugs at your jacket and the day opens toward the west. The path drops and rises, wind-shaped moor giving way to fern and the dark, dripping heart of Madeira’s laurel forest. By afternoon the trees of Fanal stand like ancient architects, trunks bent and braided by fog and time.
Geology here is volcanic: basalt ridges carved by rain and streams create the deep ravines you look down into and the gentle slopes you follow. The Laurissilva—remnant subtropical forest recognized by UNESCO—dominates the route, composed of dense laurels, til, and heather that host endemic plants and songbirds. Culturally, this landscape sustained local chestnut and laurel uses for centuries; old levadas (irrigation channels) and shepherd tracks still guide the walk.
Expect 11–12 km of varied terrain: plateau scrub, gravel tracks, forested singletrack and occasional slick roots. Weather changes fast; fog and brief downpours are part of the day, and the light through the canopy can turn the forest into a living room of moss and shadow. Streams dare you to step close for a drink, while the Atlantic sits distant below, a steady presence.
Practical guidance: bring layered waterproofs, a packed picnic (no services on route), sturdy boots with good grip, and 4–6 liters of water split among carriers. Start early for clearer views and avoid afternoons when wind and cloud build. If you have moderate fitness and steady footing, this walk rewards with old-growth forest, valley views, and a genuine slice of Madeira’s wild core.