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 ER110 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.

Closed or full? Your options

• Reschedule via the SIMplifica call centre before your date — a weather closure lets you switch trail.
• 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.