PR 13 Vereda do Fanal

PR 13 Vereda do Fanal is on the IFCN classified-trail table updated on 2 October 2026 and read here on 12 October 2026. The official distance on that table is 10.8 km. The places named there are Paul da Serra and Fanal. The status on that table is: open. Route Summary: 10.8 km · 3 h 45 min – 4 h 30 min · +250 m / -540 m (1,420 m to 1,130 m) · Moderate · Point-to-point transfer required. PR 13 traverses the northwestern ridge of the Paul da Serra plateau from the ER 209 roadside at Assobiadores down through ancient Laurissilva cloud forest into the famous volcanic crater pasture and twisted stinkwood groves (Ocotea foetens) of the Fanal Forestry Station (Posto Florestal do Fanal).

Point-to-point vs. short Fanal walks: planning your car park

Because PR 13 is a 10.8 km linear trail connecting Paul da Serra (Assobiadores) and Fanal along the ER 209 plateau road, hikers need to decide before setting out whether they are doing the full point-to-point route or visiting the Fanal trees from the lower car park:

• Full 10.8 km point-to-point walk: Both ends sit along the ER 209 regional road between Paul da Serra and Ribeira da Janela / Porto Moniz, but no regular public bus shuttles hikers along this remote plateau highway. If you park a rental car at Paul da Serra (Assobiadores) and walk the 10.8 km down to Fanal, you will either need to walk back (21.6 km round trip) or pre-arrange a taxi from Porto Moniz, Ribeira da Janela, or Calheta to return you to your car.
• Visiting Fanal directly from the Fanal car park: Many visitors park at the Fanal Forestry Station car park at the northern end of PR 13 and walk a shorter out-and-back section of PR 13 into the laurel forest or combine it with the unclassified Pequena Rota do Fanal loop.
• Connecting with PR 14 and PR 15: Across the ER 209 road at Fanal, PR 14 Levada dos Cedros (7.2 km to Curral Falso, listed open) and PR 15 Vereda da Ribeira da Janela (2.7 km from Curral Falso to Ribeira da Janela, listed open) continue the descent toward the north coast.
• Autumn 2026 path stabilization works: IFCN crews are executing autumn 2026 path stabilization and drainage works along the middle corridor between Paul da Serra and Fanal. Hikers traversing the full 10.8 km should anticipate temporary path diversions and uneven footing, while the ancient Ocotea foetens laurel groves at Posto Florestal do Fanal remain fully accessible directly from the ER 209 roadside parking.

Terrain, fog navigation, and footwear

PR 13 follows a mix of earthen forest tracks, volcanic rock steps, and wooden stairs descending gradually from the open plateau scrub into deep Laurissilva woodland:

• Plateau fog and mist: Fanal is famous for dense trade-wind fog that drifts through the ancient laurel trees. While atmospheric, thick fog reduces visibility to a few metres across the open crater pastures; stay on the signposted PR 13 posts and carry an offline map.
• Mud and slick steps: Frequent mist keeps the red clay soil and wooden earth-retaining steps wet and slippery even in summer. Wear waterproof hiking boots or trail shoes with aggressive lugs, and pack a warm fleece and rain shell for the 1,100–1,400 m altitude.

Before you go

The IFCN fee FAQ lists €4.50 per person for one classified route other than PR 1. Note that if you continue onto PR 14 Levada dos Cedros, PR 14 is a separate PR number on the classified table. Residents of the region, children aged 12 or under, and covered disability cases do not pay the fee and still need a reservation; see PR trail fees and reservation rules on Madeira. This site does not publish a live forecast. Source: Percursos pedestres classificados, table updated 2 October 2026, read here on 12 October 2026. The fee figures are from the IFCN fee FAQ.