Attention: be prepared for ALL weather conditions. Temperature can drop significantly!

Fanal Forest (Laurissilva Wonderland)

Magical cloud forest with ancient twisted trees

Fanal Forest is straight out of a fantasy movie: giant laurel trees twisted by wind, moss carpets underfoot, and mist rolling across the plateau. On clear days it’s wide-open meadows; on cloudy days it feels like walking through a dream.

I love bringing guests here after rain – the fog adds drama and the light is surreal. Sometimes we hike in silence just to hear the cows’ bells echoing through the mist.

Insider tip

• Bring a jacket – even in summer it’s sometimes cool and damp here.

For those who want more context
Fanal is part of the Laurissilva Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that once covered much of Southern Europe millions of years ago. The oldest trees here are estimated to be 600–800 years old.