Vereda dos Balcões

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This walk is one of Madeira's shortest and easiest. It leads to the Balcões belvedere, with its impressive views of the island's highest peaks. Here we offer an alternative route for the last kilometer of the return journey. This alternative route makes the walk a little more challenging, while keeping you away from the crowds.

Details

n°20218758
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.07 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 255 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 260 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 961 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 864 m
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Description of the walk

Start: Park in the car park or on the edge of Estrada Regional 103 de Ribeiro.

(S/E) Go straight ahead on Caminho Real 24, follow the Levada do Furado and reach the junction with PR®11 Vereda dos Balcões.

(1) Take it to the right, following the Levada do Juncal, then cross it to follow the PR°®°°11 and reach the Belvedere de Balcões.

(2) Follow the same path in the opposite direction to return to the junction with the PR®11 you passed earlier.

(1) Turn right onto an unmarked path leading up into the laurel forest. Follow the Ribeiro Frio below until you find route 103 leading back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 888 m - Parking Estrada Regional 103
  2. 1 : km 0.31 - alt. 904 m - Carrefour de la boucle
  3. 2 : km 1.31 - alt. 864 m - Balcões lookout
  4. S/E : km 3.07 - alt. 888 m - Parking Estrada Regional 103

Notes

Start: Park in the car park or on the edge of Estrada Regional 103 de Ribeiro.

Terrain & Waymarkers:This is a very easy walk, as there is no change in altitude except on the return leg, and the distance to the lookout point is 1.4 Km.
The route is extremely well-maintained and signposted. This makes it an ideal walk for families, from the youngest to the oldest.

Find our complete guide to this hike on Sailing Kerguelen

Worth a visit

(2) Belvedere de Balcões: impressive view of Madeira's highest peaks, the surrounding valley and the Atlantic Ocean. Plan to spend at least 20 minutes here when the view is clear.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 9 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.1 / 5
spirou56
spirou56

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It's great fun in the tunnels, where the risks are limited with a good torch.

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Leox
Leox

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The walk to the viewpoint is very easy, quick and well worth the diversions.
But the alternative route is really not that great. The path is not easy to follow, and you have to scramble over and under trees for a walk in the forest that doesn't really offer much interest.

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CoachDosh42
CoachDosh42

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A short, easy walk with no change in altitude!

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faustinebrun
faustinebrun

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Wide path, easy hike, beautiful view.
On the other hand, we followed the alternative route, had to step over fallen trees, and nothing is signposted, so it wasn't at all practical for the end of the alternative route. I wouldn't recommend doing it in the low season, but perhaps the route will be put in place for the summer.

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momone
momone

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

nice little hike along the levadas but when we got to the top the Balcoes was in the fog, so we couldn't see a thing, too bad

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Antoine330
Antoine330

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A very easy hike, with no change in altitude and a wide path until you return to 1. From the passage through the laurel forest onwards, there is a slight change in altitude and the path is no longer practicable (overturned trees and a path that is difficult to follow).
The first part of the route is very busy, not the second.

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randidier
randidier

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

Very easy walk, just watch your step as there are lots of roots sticking out.
Very crowded, so parking can be difficult.

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stravers
stravers

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 19, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Easy path, so very popular.
Couldn't find the alternative. One path was blocked off, was it this one?
Beautiful panorama

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masybou
masybou

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

An easy walk in every respect in line with your description

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.