Taxi to Balcões & Ribeiro Frio

The Vereda dos Balcões is Madeira's most accessible levada walk, perfect for visitors who want to experience the island's famous hiking trails without committing to a full-day expedition. This short 1.5-kilometer path leads to one of the most impressive viewpoints on the island - a natural balcony overlooking the deep Ribeiro Frio valley with Madeira's highest peaks forming a dramatic backdrop. The walk starts from Ribeiro Frio, a small mountain village known for its trout farm and traditional restaurant. The trail is flat, well-maintained, and suitable for all fitness levels, making it ideal for families with children or older travelers. Despite its ease, the reward at the end rivals any of Madeira's more challenging hikes.

Ribeiro Frio sits along the ER103 mountain road between Funchal and Santana. From Funchal, a taxi takes approximately 25-30 minutes through scenic forest roads. The village has limited parking that fills quickly during peak hours. While technically accessible by bus (routes to Santana pass nearby), the schedules can be limiting for a short walk like this. A taxi gives you flexibility to arrive early, avoid crowds, and easily combine with other activities - perhaps continuing to Pico do Arieiro for sunset or visiting Santana afterward. We often recommend this walk for visitors arriving or departing Madeira on the same day - it is close enough to the airport and short enough to fit into a travel schedule while still offering an authentic Madeira experience.

The trail follows a levada through beautiful Laurissilva forest, with the path wide and mostly flat throughout. After about 30-45 minutes of gentle walking, you emerge at the Balcões viewpoint - a wooden platform extending over the valley edge. On clear days, the views are spectacular: the deep V-shaped valley of Ribeiro Frio stretches before you, while Pico do Arieiro (1818m) and Pico Ruivo (1862m), Madeira's highest peaks, dominate the skyline. Bring binoculars to appreciate the full scale of the landscape. A highlight for many visitors is the Madeiran firecrest - tiny endemic birds with distinctive orange-gold crown stripes. They have become remarkably tame at this viewpoint and often land on outstretched hands, creating wonderful photo opportunities. Bring some breadcrumbs but note that feeding wildlife is officially discouraged.