PR11 Vereda dos Balcões
Vereda dos Balcões (often called Levada dos Balcoes) is a beautiful 1-hour walk through serene woods leading to an epic balcony viewpoint. The wide forest path follows a levada and, although popular, makes a must-do hike on your Madeira itinerary.
Once you reach the balcony, you’re awarded some of the best views over the vast Atlantic Ocean and Madeira’s tallest mountains, including the famed Pico do Arieiro. Watch how the beautiful greenery reveals itself throughout the trail – you’ll want to bring a camera for this one!
The short 1.5-kilometer walk to and from the viewpoint barely has any incline, making it an incredible warm-up trek before tackling the longer and steeper hikes on Madeira. The trail is clearly marked and well-maintained throughout, with no dangerous parts. It’s also perfect for all ages, so it’s a great hike to do together with your family.
- Total km: 3 km
- Time: 1 – 1,5 hours
- Elevation: 140 meters
- Difficulty: Easy
- Route type: In-and-out
- Entrance: Free to visit, no tickets.
The Route
The trail begins in Ribeiro Frio, a peaceful area with a few restaurants, shops, streams, and lush surrounding nature. From here, it follows the Levada da Serra do Faial all the way to the viewpoint.
What’s a levada? A levada is an irrigation channel. On Madeira, you’ll find about 3000 km of levadas, some of which even date back to the 16th century!
Even though it’s a relatively short trail, you’ll find plenty of beautiful areas along the way before reaching the balcony. Soak up the cool air in the dense forest, looking at massive rock walls, colorful flowers, and the unique trees of Madeira.
Then, you’ll pass Snack Bar Flor da Selva, a charming cafe where you can enjoy some delicious Madeira Honey Cake, a drink, and a quick restroom break. Continue left after the cafe and walk along for a few more minutes.
The Balcony Viewpoint
After about 20 minutes of walking from the start, you’ll reach Levada dos Balcoes viewpoint: the famous balcony that peers over the ocean on the right and the island’s biggest peaks on the left. These majestic mountains, including the iconic Pico do Arieiro, tower above all else and are often shrouded in clouds. However, sometimes, you get to see their peaks on a clear day! We found it to be one of Madeira’s best viewpoints.
We brought some old bread and crushed almonds for them. They clearly preferred the nuts, which we later shared with some kids who had only brought some bread. The little birds then all eagerly flocked to them, creating such an incredible scene!
Also read: best things to do in Madeira
The Best Time to Hike Levada dos Balcões
Because of its tropical climate, Madeira rarely gets really cold, with an average temperature of 20 – 25 degrees Celsius year-round. However, head into the mountains, and you’ll notice that temperatures (and the weather) can change due to the higher elevation.
Because of this, it’s best to wear layers on your Levada dos Balcões hike to prepare you for unpredictable weather. It’s common to experience cold, warm, windy, cloudy, and clear conditions all on the same day! Tip: Check the Madeira webcams or Windy.com to see what the weather is like at your chosen hiking trail before setting out.
Depending on your preference, you can hike early in the morning (a popular choice) or later during the day to witness the sunset. There’s nothing quite as magical as seeing the tall surrounding peaks and valleys color in a soft, golden glow. However, make sure you wrap up the hike before it turns dark. We recommend avoiding the middle of the day in summer, as it can get really warm (and busy)!
How to Get to the Levada dos Balcoes Trailhead
The trail starts at Ribeiro Frio, which lies about a 30-minute drive directly north of Funchal, Madeira. This area is an attraction in itself, with lush gardens, ponds, and waterfalls, so it tends to get quite busy. Because of this, it’s not easy to find parking nearby. However, you can park down the street to hike PR11, Madeira.
We recommend to rent a car in Madeira through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here.
You’ll spot numerous signs at the start of the trail to guide you, making it hard to miss the trailhead. If driving yourself is not an option, you can also choose to book a private transfer or taxi to the trail.
What to Bring on Your Hikes in Madeira
PR11 Vereda dos Balcões is a highlight on your Madeira itinerary and one of the most popular things to do. Here are some items to pack to make this incredible hike go as smoothly as possible:
- Good shoes (waterproof sneakers or hiking boots)
- Sunglasses
- Environmentally-friendly sunscreen
- Cap
- Plenty of water (in a reusable bottle; the perfect way to travel plastic-free!)
- Some snacks
- Layers (temperatures can change throughout the trail)
- Waterproof jacket
- Your camera
Travel Insurance
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