Fanal Forest, Madeira: Visiting the Old Til Trees

Fanal's old til trees are enough of a reason to visit. You can make time for the forest around Fanal without committing to the full PR13 hike from Assobiadores. Choose between lingering among the trees and walking a longer crossing through the forest; they start in different places and need different return arrangements.

What draws people to Fanal

The trees are Ocotea foetens, part of Madeira's indigenous Laurissilva forest. Fanal lies between the Seixal and Ribeira da Janela mountains, in the municipality of Porto Moniz. Visit Madeira's Fanal description also identifies viewpoints and a winter lake formed in an old volcanic crater.

Look at the individual trunks and branching shapes as well as the wider grove. In clearer weather, the spaces between trees become part of the view; mist can change that setting, but it is never guaranteed. Leave time to stop when something catches your eye, rather than organizing the visit around reproducing one photograph.

For a short visit, begin at the confirmed Fanal visitor access point and choose a permitted walk that returns there. Use current signs to decide where to go. The distance depends on that choice; the published PR13 distance describes a separate forest crossing.

What changes if you choose PR13

PR13, Vereda do Fanal, runs from ER209 at Assobiadores to ER209 at Fanal. Visit Madeira lists 10.8 km (6.7 mi) with an estimated walking duration of 4 hours. Add stops and transport to that estimate when planning the day.

The longer route gives the forest more of your attention. At Sítio do Fio, the official description records a cable installation once used to carry wood and shrubs toward Chão da Ribeira and Seixal. The walk has a connection to the working landscape as well as the old trees at its finish.

If your priority is photography, a shorter visit leaves more time to pause without holding up a walking schedule. If you want the trail itself to fill the day, choose PR13 and arrange the transfer before starting. Our photography-stop guide helps make that choice with a group.

Match the pickup to the walk

For PR13, give a driver both names: Assobiadores for the start and Fanal for the finish. Both are on ER209, but they are not the same trailhead. A car left at the starting point still needs to be recovered at the end; agree how that will happen before leaving it. See point-to-point logistics if your group is sharing a vehicle.

When checked on 15 October 2026, the PR13 page showed the trail as open. Madeira's classified-trail guidance requires advance reservations through SIMplifica. Check the status and booking for the route and date you select; for a forest-only visit, check the access conditions of the specific visitor area.

Keep to permitted paths, respect barriers and leave enough time to return in changing visibility. For a different Madeira day, compare Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo with the open peninsula at Ponta de São Lourenço.