Laurissilva Forest
Laurissilva Forest
5
About
This type of wild and scenic forest landscape is fast becoming a rare sight along the Mediterranean, and Madeira is one of the few places where they still exist.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles141 reviews
Excellent
115
Very good
22
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
1

NHjo
Saco, ME8,609 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2022
We drove by parts of the forest, and it was like something from another planet. Unbelievably beautiful! We didn't do any hiking -- when you're on a whirlwind tour of an island (even if it's small), it doesn't leave one much time to go hiking. There's so much to see in Madeira - we should have planned a week or two instead of a few days!
Written December 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lily
The Netherlands39 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020
The laurissilva is a beautiful and mystical part of Madeira. From Ribeiro Frio you can do a really easy (flat) and relaxing levada walk to Balcoes (balcony) that will end at a 'balcony' overlooking the surrounding area. I definitely recommend doing that walk when you are in the neighborhood.
Written May 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Margaret151151
Cardiff, UK2,318 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2014 • Couples
For a first short experience of the lovely levada walks, and one you can easily do on your own, take the Horarios do Funchal #56 (which goes to Santana) from the bus station by the Monte cable car station in Funchal. We caught the 10am bus and returned from Ribeiro Frio on the 13:15 bus, although there is another at just after 6pm.

The ride is exciting on the switchback roads with great views of the city and port, and as you go up further (particularly in May and June) spectacular with the gorgeous flora - the roads lined with blue Pride of Madeira, white argyranthemum bushes and pink Madeiran geraniums, and the hillsides smothered in golden broom (see pics, which don't do it justice.) After a lovely 45 minute journey costing only 3.35E (June 2014), disembark at the pretty village of Ribeiro Frio.

Wander down the road to the sign on the left for Balcoes. The round trip will take you about 40-60 mins (unless you take a picnic) on a level path to a stunning view to the north coast of the island (clouds permitting!) Don't forget to take a few crumbs for the friendly Madeiran chaffinches at the viewpoint. You might be lucky enough to spot the shy Madeiran firecrest or the rare Tracaz pigeon en route.

Whilst waiting for the return bus (stops opposite the cafe), you could wander round the trout farm or have a coffee and cake in the cafe or a drink at the bar, or even wander a short way along the Portela levada (although this is closed for repair at the moment). Take appropriate clothing - it can be cooler and damper than in Funchal!
Written June 10, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MrTerry
East Kilbride, UK80 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Laurisilva...well lots of forest but that's about it. We've been twice to this lovely island and have yet to be disappointed. Still have not done any levadas so might have to return at least one more time. The mountains have some great-looking tracks to follow of which we only managed to squeeze in an hour or so's walking. Eating is good in Funchal...espada fish is ok but perhaps a bit over-rated (think fish
'n'chips). Before you choose it find out if the dressing is proper banana sauce or just half a banana! The espada in the corner cafe in Santana looked the business!

Try a trip to Nuns Valley for exceptional views and hot chestnuts when you get to the village.

As someone said, you can easily hire a car as we did first time. Pros and cons on this: price was ok, stopped when and where we liked for photos etc; but on some of the twisty/windy roads you can miss a lot being the driver. Our minibus driver was a skilled driver, knowledgeable and had a brilliant command of English..I could relax and see more en route.

Some good deals with Atlantic Holidays and the Pestana hotel next to the casino has'nt let us down either time. Probably the poshest one we have ever stayed in. On our second day since the weather was unusually dross (really tropical rain!) we gave in and went to their time-share presentation for the afternoon.

Plan your holiday there well and you could probably fit just about everything in a week or two at the most..it's not that big a place but the people are really friendly and polite both inside hotels/
restaurants and outside. Check out the Madeiran dogs...the most idle animals on earth but sadly also the most neglected. DO have the ice cream at the bottom of the cable car.

DONT be conned into forking out a fiver or so in the fruit market to some cheery wee fellow who has enticed you with a slice of some weird fruit or other: check what you will be getting and think about it in real money. Custard apple and odd banana-thing was nice but not worth what we paid..we were fleeced.

Think about tobogganing down the street pushed by a couple of bored 'gondaliers'...I didnt time it but I don't think it took much more than 5 mins. At 25 euros if was as steep as the street we slid down. And they had the nerve to hold out their hats for a tip! It was the only time they had shown any interest in our enjoyment so I declined.
Mainly in Madeira tips are not actively sought but are always appreciated and should be given for good service.
Written May 17, 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ignacio B
Zaragoza, Spain215 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2012 • Couples
Walking along the “levadas” in the laurel forests in Madeira was an intense pleasure. The “laurisilva” is a thick, cool, subtropical forest with high humidity due to the moisture from the sea and the fog in the mountains, and it contains a rich variety of evergreen trees, mosses and plants with glossy leaves and astonishing flowers. You can also enjoy breathtaking views of peaks, gorges, waterfalls, valleys and the deep blue sea in the horizon.

In Madeira it is easy to hike deep into the laurel forest for hours following the irrigation waterways (levadas) that collect the water for farming purposes, and lead you gently down or upwards. Starting from Ribeiro Frio we did the “Vereda dos Balcoes” (1h30m) and part of the “Levada do Furado”, and starting from Queimadas, we did the “Levada do Caldeirao Verde” (5h 30m). The footpath in Caldeirao Verde is often only a couple of feet wide and you sometimes have to negotiate the passage with the hikers coming in the opposite direction, there are cord barriers in the narrow and steep parts of the way but don’t forget to bring a torch to walk through three or four long, dark tunnels (mind your heads, they are very low at times too!). In the afternoons, we basked on the sunny coast of Faial (see the pictures) and on the beach in Machico, where we enjoyed “lapas”, dry “gaiado” fish and sugar cane juice at the Machico Food Festival.

We rented a car go get everywhere. Driving is Madeira is not easy, the secondary roads are narrow and very steep, they do not have pavement, and instead of a hard-shoulder they often have little ditches for drainage, so you have to be very careful to avoid scratching the car. We rented a small, brand-new car with Guerin for around €50 per day but, when we collected the car at the airport, we were asked to pay extra insurance to cover the wheels, bodywork and glasses which cost us around €16 per day (otherwise we had to lay down a deposit of €1200!). Madeira is a beautiful island and driving is a fine way to visit all the peaks, “levadas” and forests, but you if you don’t want to drive, you can book a tour or hire a taxi.
Written August 20, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

HamNaTa
Hamburg, Germany84 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2016 • Couples
No idea why so few reviews and I know not many people go there prefering widely advertised levada walks. This is a fantastic place, one feels like in an ancient forest from Talkien books. When we were there, there was a thick fog but it didn't prevent us from enjoying this magical place.
Written June 13, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

June A
Surrey, UK2,679 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2016 • Solo
This ancient woodland is one of many Unesco World Heritage sites which no visitor to Madeira should leave without seeing. I chose to see it as part of a guided levada walk from Ribeiro Frio to Portella, the last few kms of which are spent traversing this ancient woodland.

It really is beautiful the way the light filters through the trees, leaving patterns on the snaking waterways that gently guide you further along the path and deeper into its green and majestic depths. Of course I only really scratched the surface of this island and indeed the woodland, which covers many, many miles but I am nevertheless grateful for the time I did get to spend here.
Written May 15, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

lillae
Budapest, Hungary23 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2019
I had the luck to see it on a sunny day and on a foggy as well during my one week stay on the island.

With the gps you can find it as: Posto Florestal Fanal.

Very atmospheric place, enjoyed it greatly.
Written October 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

myifrach
Tel Aviv, Israel263 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2016 • Couples
We came across the forest while driving on route E 209 from Ribiera Da Janela, southwards, on a foggy day which added to the atmosphere. The scenes of the forest were unique. Just watchout not to skid ...
Written October 22, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ScorpioX
Aland Islands, Finland26 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2016 • Couples
There are several trails in Laurisilva, we did the Levada do Furado, which is 11 km between Ribeiro Frio to Porto da Cruz. We took bus 56 at 8 in the morning and bus 53 from Porto da Cruz back. It was just us and one person more who started at this point at this time, and once he left us behind, we didn't see a human soul for 1.5 hours. This is in contrast to what others have written, and I suspect that it could be explained by low season, starting early and a bit of luck. The weather was great and we got to see stunning views. It didn't feel like walking in a European forest, as it was so green and humid (similar to Borneo and Rwanda were I've hiked before). No flashlight or walking stick needed on this one, and the trail was in good shape. The last part was muddy (it had probably rained before we arrived), and then it was great with gore-tex shoes. The only thing that didn't meet our expectations was the lack of flowers and birds, and it was probably explained by season.
Written April 20, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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