PR 11 – Vereda dos Balcões
The Bird Sanctuary
Distance
1.5 km (Return)
Duration
45 min
Difficulty
Very Easy
Status
✅ OPEN
🕐 Best Time to Visit
💡 Pro Tip: This is a massive tour bus stop. If you arrive at 11:30, you will be walking in a line. Go early (08:30) to have the birds and the view to yourself.
⚠️ Technical Difficulty Rating
Why Hike Vereda dos Balcões?
The PR 11 is the highest reward for the lowest effort on Madeira. In less than 20 minutes of flat walking, you reach one of the island’s most spectacular viewpoints.
It offers a direct line of sight into the deep Ribeira da Metade valley, framed by the highest peaks (Pico do Areeiro and Pico Ruivo). Plus, it is famous for the friendly Chaffinches (Tentilhões) that land on your hand.
Trail Map
From Ribeiro Frio (Restaurant) to the Balcony Viewpoint.
Step-by-Step Guide
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1
Ribeiro Frio (Start)
Park on the roadside in Ribeiro Frio. The trail starts on the left side of the road (if driving uphill), marked by a large sign.
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2
The Forest Walk
The path is wide and flat, winding through ancient Laurel and Mahogany trees. It is shaded and cool.
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3
The Balcony
You arrive at the “Balcões” (Balcony). It is a railed stone platform jutting out over the valley.
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4
The Return
Return exactly the same way. Stop at the souvenir shops in Ribeiro Frio for a Poncha or coffee.
📸 Best Photo Spots
Hold out your hand with a few seeds. Be patient. Capture the moment a Chaffinch lands on your fingers.
On a clear day, the view of the central mountain range (Pico Ruivo) rising out of the green valley is majestic.
The forest here is dense and humid. The tree trunks are covered in moss and ferns, creating a magical green atmosphere.
Facilities & Amenities
How to Get There
Drive up the ER 103 from Funchal or Santana until you reach the small settlement of Ribeiro Frio.
🛑 Parking Warning
Parking is strictly roadside and limited. Police often ticket cars parked on yellow lines or blocking the bus lane. Be careful.
The Driver’s Perspective
🚘 Busy Mountain Road
Beautiful but congested.
Our Rental Recommendation: Because parking is tight, a **Small Car** (like a Fiat Panda or Renault Clio) is much easier to squeeze into a gap between two buses. This is Madeira Island has plenty of compact options.
Essential Gear
- Sneakers: No hiking boots needed. The path is flat dirt.
- Jacket: Ribeiro Frio is often 5-10°C colder than Funchal.
- Seeds: Only if you want to feed the birds responsibly.
🍹 After the Hike: Where to Eat?
Restaurante Ribeiro Frio
Located right at the start. It is famous for its fresh trout (farmed right across the street) and tomato soup. It has a cozy fireplace for cold mountain days.
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