Ribeiro Frio in Madeira combines hiking trails, viewpoints and nature watching. There are different time options for planning your day: PR 11 – Vereda dos Balcões is an easy, short hiking trail; PR 10 – Levada do Furado takes considerably longer to walk. Other highlights include the Ribeiro Frio canyoning route, the Laurissilva forest landscape and a fish farm that has been in operation since 1960.

To Miradouro dos Balcões

PR 11 starts on Estrada Regional 103 in Ribeiro Frio. The easy hiking trail is 1.5 kilometres long and takes about one hour and 30 minutes. Along the way, the route follows Levada da Serra do Faial and leads to Miradouro dos Balcões. From the viewpoint, you can see far across the valley of Ribeira da Metade.

Wildlife is also part of this outing: Madeira’s endemic birds can be observed in Parque Florestal do Ribeiro Frio. These include the Madeira firecrest (Regulus madeirensis), Madeira chaffinch (Fringila coelebs madeirensis) and Trocaz pigeon (Columba trocaz). Along PR 11, hikers can also encounter native and endemic species of Madeira in the Laurissilva forest landscape.

Laurissilva and fish farming

The forested area of Ribeiro Frio is home to endemic Laurissilva plants. The species named include laurel (Laurus novocanariensis), folhado (Clethra arborea), til (Ocotea foetens) and vinhático (Persea indica). Alongside birdwatching, Parque Florestal do Ribeiro Frio provides access to Madeira’s characteristic flora and fauna.

Another connection with nature in the area is the Posto Aquícola do Ribeiro Frio fish farm. It has been in operation since 1960. Its rearing pools hold rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), which are used to restock Madeira’s waterways.

Longer levada hike and canyoning

If you would like to allow more time for walking, PR 10 – Levada do Furado also starts in Ribeiro Frio. The route is 11 kilometres long and takes five hours to walk. It follows one of Madeira’s oldest public levadas. PR 10 also offers a view of the Penha d’Águia rock formation.

The two hikes differ considerably in the time they require: PR 11 takes about an hour and a half, while PR 10 takes five hours. This comparison can help you choose between a shorter and a longer hiking programme. As trail conditions can change, check the latest situation before setting out.

Another activity is the 1.5-kilometre Ribeiro Frio canyoning route, which takes around two hours and 30 minutes. Its features include a 50-metre abseil section, small waterfalls and narrow passages through red rock. Seasonal conditions on this route can change; check them before planning your trip.

Getting there and planning your day

Ribeiro Frio is served by public transport and also has public parking. If you plan to travel by public transport, check the timetable in advance. This lets you factor your journey into your day’s plans without assuming a particular connection.

Your choice will depend above all on how much time you want to spend walking and what interests you: a short levada hike with a viewpoint, a longer trail with a view of Penha d’Águia, wildlife and plant watching, or canyoning. Miradouro do Ribeiro Frio also offers sweeping views of the green mountains on Madeira’s north coast.

Discover more destinations: Tabua, Madalena Do Mar, Lombada Velha, São Vicente, Sao Jorge, Arco De São Jorge, Ponta Do Pargo, Boaventura

For the main travel overview: Madeira.