📍: 3 km Out&Back

🚘: Free Parking at Trailhead

📈: 30 M

🕒: ~ 3 hours

This is the shortest, the easiest and the most rewarding trail on Madeira. The total length is just 1 and a half kilometre point to point and it’s totally flat. The whole trail is shaded by lush plants and trees. At its end, you’ll reach one of the most incredible viewpoints in Madeira. From this balcony, you can see a beautiful green valley with Madeira’s highest mountains in the back.

The trail begins at Ribeiro Frio, following Levada da Serra do Faial all the way to the Balcões viewpoint. Ribeiro Frio is a captivating attraction with beautiful gardens, ponds, and picturesque streams and waterfalls. Due to the trail’s popularity, parking can be challenging, so we recommend to come here early in the morning. You'll find few restaurants and cafes, restrooms, information offices, and facilities at Ribeiro Frio.