Chão dos Louros Forest Park is one of those places that feels a little bit magical. Tucked away in Madeira’s lush green mountains, it’s a spot where the air smells fresh, the trees tower above you, and the laurel forest seems to wrap you in its own quiet world.
The trails here take you through dense greenery, with bursts of sunlight filtering through the leaves. It’s perfect for a slow, peaceful walk – or a longer hike if you’re feeling adventurous. Along the way, you might spot some of Madeira’s unique plants and hear the forest’s soundtrack of birdsong and rustling leaves.
It’s the kind of place where you can switch off, breathe deeply, and just enjoy being surrounded by nature.
A quick note about camping here
Chão dos Louros is a designated camping and picnic area – but that doesn’t mean you can just roll up and stay the night. Wild camping is forbidden everywhere on Madeira, and you’ll need a free camping license from the IFCN (Instituto das Florestas e Conservação da Natureza) to camp here legally. It’s a simple process, but make sure you get your permit before you go.
If you’re in a campervan, remember: the “different rules” you’ve heard about don’t apply in official camping areas off road. So, yep – when in doubt - still get that permit.
HIKES NEARBY:
PR 21 - Caminho do Norte
Caminho do Norte is a 3.2-kilometer hiking trail that takes about 1.5 hours. This path follows the old route that connected the south and north sides of Madeira and takes you through the vibrant Madeira forest.
The hike begins at Boca da Encumeada and was historically used by locals for trade between villages and traditional pilgrimages. The first part of the route goes through the native Laurissilva forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
This trail, with moderate difficulty, has an elevation difference between 1000 and 320 meters and offers an up-close view of the local flora. Upon crossing the regional road ER 104, you enter a transitional forest with exotic tree species.
Caminho do Norte ends in Ribeira Grande. Take time here to appreciate the culture of willow weaving, used for making traditional baskets, furniture, and the iconic Monte sledges.
Distance: 3.2 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 1:30 hours
Start/End: Encumeada / Ribeira Grande
Max. elevation / Min. elevation: 1000 m / 320 m
PR 22 - Vereda do Chão dos Louros
Vereda do Chão dos Louros is a circular hiking trail of 1.9 kilometers that takes about 45 minutes. The path explores the surroundings of the Chão dos Louros Forest Park and can be started at various points.
This path is located in a green area that is part of the Natura 2000 network, a European network of important natural areas. The hike is characterized by lush greenery and runs through the native Laurissilva forest, with predominantly evergreen trees such as the laurel (Laurus novocanariensis) and the til (Ocotea foetens).
Along the way, you will come across a natural viewpoint with a panoramic view over the imposing São Vicente valley. Additionally, from here you can reach the Caminho do Norte (PR 21), which connects to Ribeira Grande.
Traditionally, Chão dos Louros is the place where pilgrims gather on the first Sunday of September, after the festivities of Senhor Bom Jesus in the parish of Ponta Delgada.
Distance: 1.9 km
Difficulty: Easy
Duration: 45 minutes
Start/End: Chão dos Louros / Chão dos Louros
Max. elevation / Min. elevation: 890 m / 830 m
Please remember that for all PR Routes a payment of 3EUR is required per person, per hike. Please make your reservation here.
