Ribeiro Frio: Hiking, Nature and Viewpoints

Get to know Ribeiro Frio through its hiking trails, Laurissilva landscape and opportunities to observe native and endemic species. For planning your trip, two trails offer a clear comparison: PR 11 – Vereda dos Balcões is short and rated easy, while PR 10 – Levada do Furado takes considerably longer. There are also viewpoints, a forest park and a fish hatchery with a long history.

Two hiking trails, different time frames

PR 11 – Vereda dos Balcões starts on Estrada Regional 103 in Ribeiro Frio. The easy trail is 1.5 km long and takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to walk. It follows the Levada da Serra do Faial and leads to Miradouro dos Balcões. Along the way, you can encounter Madeira’s native and endemic species in the Laurissilva forest landscape.

PR 10 – Levada do Furado also starts in Ribeiro Frio, but takes considerably longer: the 11 km route is expected to take 5 hours to walk. The trail follows one of Madeira’s oldest public levadas. Along the way, you can see the rock formation Penha d’Águia. The length and walking time make the difference between the two hikes clear, without assuming a difficulty rating for PR 10. Trail operating conditions may change; check the current situation before setting out.

Canyoning with its own route profile

Another activity is the Ribeiro Frio canyoning route. It is 1.5 km long and can be completed in about 2 hours and 30 minutes. The route includes a 50-metre abseil section, small waterfalls and narrow passages through red rock. Its stated length is the same as PR 11, but the approximate duration is longer. This makes it possible to compare the time required for the two different activities without treating them as having the same demands. Conditions on the canyoning route can vary by season; take this into account when planning.

Laurissilva and endemic species

Parque Florestal do Ribeiro Frio is a good place to observe the wildlife and plant life characteristic of Madeira. Endemic birds that can be seen there include the Madeira firecrest (Regulus madeirensis), Madeira chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs madeirensis) and Trocaz pigeon (Columba trocaz). The park therefore offers a distinct connection with nature alongside the impressions of the hiking trails.

The plants of the Laurissilva also shape the woodland around Ribeiro Frio. Endemic plants found there include bay laurel (Laurus novocanariensis), folhado (Clethra arborea), til (Ocotea foetens) and vinhático (Persea indica). If you are interested in Madeira’s nature, here you can connect specific species with the Laurissilva landscape.

Two viewpoints, two kinds of view

Miradouro dos Balcões offers sweeping views over the valley of Ribeira da Metade. Miradouro do Ribeiro Frio offers a different perspective: from there, the view stretches across the green mountains on Madeira’s north coast. The viewpoints therefore offer different focal points: the valley at one, the mountainous north coast at the other.

Fish hatchery and getting there

Another aspect of the area is Posto Aquícola do Ribeiro Frio. The fish hatchery has been operating since 1960. Its rearing ponds contain rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), which are used to restock Madeira’s waterways. The facility’s long history and purpose add a practical connection to the management of the waterways to the nature-focused themes.

Ribeiro Frio has public parking and is also served by public transport. If you plan to travel by public transport, check the timetable for your specific connection before setting off. When choosing a destination in Madeira, the different things to do may help you decide: a short hike with a viewpoint, a longer route along a levada, wildlife and nature observation, or canyoning.

Discover more destinations: Porto Da Cruz, Tabua, Machico, Serra De Água, Sao Jorge, Estreito Da Calheta, Caniçal, Câmara De Lobos.

For the main travel overview: Madeira.