PR13: Is the Fanal open today?

The forest. Those misty trees

Fanal is the picture everyone comes for: ancient, gnarled til (laurel) trees in the mist, high on the Paúl da Serra plateau — part of the UNESCO Laurissilva.

• The fog is the magic. The scene works best when cloud rolls through the trees; a clear blue day is pretty but far less atmospheric.
• Two things share the name. The classified Vereda do Fanal (PR13) is a 10.8 km walk across the plateau; the Fanal forest at the end (with the famous trees and picnic meadow) is also reachable by car on the ER209.

Book it. PR13 on SIMplifica

1. Book the PR13 trail's €4.50 slot on SIMplifica in advance, in a 30-minute window. Under-12s free but on the booking.
2. Just visiting the forest by car? The classified walk is what's booked; whether a slot is also needed simply to wander the Fanal forest area is worth confirming on SIMplifica, as access rules are tightening.

Getting there. The Paúl da Serra plateau

Fanal is remote: a high, exposed plateau in the west, over an hour from Funchal via the ER105 and ER209.

• It's high and often in cloud (1,130–1,420 m) — that's the point, but it means cold, damp and low visibility. Bring warm, waterproof layers even in summer.
• Fuel up and go prepared: no shops, patchy signal, and mist that can drop visibility fast. Don't rely on a phone map alone.
• The full PR13 is 10.8 km, ~4 hours across the plateau to the forest and its volcanic crater — a proper walk, not just the photo stop.

Where to park for PR13?

Park at the Fanal car park on the ER209, by the forestry post, which has public toilets; when it's full, cars park along the ER209. Free, according to visitor reports. There is no bus to Fanal.

PR13 by bus

No public bus reaches Fanal: none of the bus lines on SIGA serves the Paul da Serra plateau or the Fanal. You need a car, a taxi or a tour transfer.

What's the weather at Vereda do Fanal (PR13) now?

The status card above shows the latest measured reading from the IPMA Rabaçal station, the regional weather station nearest the trail: temperature, wind and whether it is likely in cloud. Expect the mountains cooler and cloudier than Funchal.

Official weather warnings for the Madeira mountains: IPMA.

Closed or full? Your options

• If IFCN closes PR13 on your date, email helpdesk.ifcn@madeira.gov.pt within 10 working days with your tickets and invoice, and ask for a new date within a year or a refund. Rain or a change of plans doesn't count, and the SIMplifica contact centre can't change bookings.
• Alternatives: check the live board — the sheltered levadas like 25 Fontes and Caldeirão Verde are the safer bet on a fierce-weather day.

Three things people find out too late

• It's high and cold. The plateau can be foggy and near-freezing while Funchal is in shorts — go dressed for the mountains.
• The trail ≠ the photo stop. The full PR13 is a 10.8 km / 4-hour walk; the famous trees are at the Fanal end, which you can also drive to.
• Remote and exposed. No facilities, patchy signal, and fast-changing mist — carry water, food, layers and don't rely on your phone alone.

Questions people ask

PR13: Is the Fanal open today?

Vereda do Fanal (PR13) is CLOSED on IFCN's official trail-warnings list. The classified trail costs €4.50 through the SIMplifica portal.

Do you need to book the Fanal?

The classified Vereda do Fanal (PR13) trail requires an advance booking and €4.50 payment through SIMplifica. The Fanal forest itself is also reachable by car on the ER209; whether a booking is needed just to wander the forest area is best confirmed on SIMplifica, as the rules are tightening.

Why is the Fanal always foggy?

Fanal sits high on the exposed Paúl da Serra plateau (~1,150–1,420 m), where moist Atlantic air condenses over the laurel forest. The mist among the ancient, gnarled til trees is exactly what makes the photos — but it also means cold, damp and low visibility, so dress warm.

How do you get to the Fanal forest?

It is a remote drive to the Paúl da Serra plateau in the west (over an hour from Funchal via the ER105/ER209). The PR13 trail runs about 10.8 km across the plateau to the Fanal forest and its volcanic crater.