Is the Levada dos Cedros open today?

Book it. PR14 on SIMplifica

The Levada dos Cedros is one of the quieter laurel-forest walks — a gentle descent, not a big-name honeypot — but it's still a paid, booking-only PR trail:

1. Book your €4.50 slot on SIMplifica in advance. Under-12s and residents are free but must still be on the booking. Check the live status above before you pay.
2. Sort your return first. This is a point-to-point walk (see below) — decide how you'll get back before you book the day.
3. Or go with an IFCN protocol operator — a lower trail fee (€3) plus transport, which handles both the long drive west and the one-way logistics.

Getting there. Fanal & the Paul da Serra

The walk starts at Fanal, high on the Paul da Serra plateau in the west — the same place as the famous ancient til trees. It's a long drive from Funchal (about 1h15–1h30) across open moorland.

• Park at Fanal, where the levada path drops into the forest. The plateau road (ER209) is exposed and often deep in cloud — drive slowly and don't rely on the view.
• It's point-to-point and downhill, finishing near Ribeira da Janela where it meets the PR15. You won't come back to your car on foot without a long climb.
• Getting back: two cars, a pre-booked taxi/pickup at the bottom, a guided walk with transfers, or continue on the PR15 down to Ribeira da Janela village for the coast road.

What it's like

This is deep-forest walking at its best: an almost-level, then gently descending levada through the laurisilva — the UNESCO World Heritage laurel forest — dripping with moss and lichen, ferns crowding the path, birdsong the only sound.

• Atmospheric and often misty — the cloud that frustrates viewpoint-hunters makes this forest magical.
• Pairs naturally with Fanal (PR13), which starts from the same spot — do the short Fanal loop for the famous gnarled trees, then walk the Cedros down.
• Quiet. Far fewer people than Rabaçal; if you want the forest to yourself, this is it.

Closed or full? Your options

If IFCN closes PR14 (weather, fallen trees, works) or you can't get a slot:

• Reschedule via the SIMplifica call centre before your date — you can move date/time freely, and switch trail only if yours was officially closed.
• Open alternatives nearby: check the live board — Fanal (PR13) is right there, and 25 Fontes (PR6) at Rabaçal is a short drive south.

Three things people find out too late

• It doesn't loop back. You finish near Ribeira da Janela, not at Fanal — fix the return before you set off, or you're facing a long uphill road walk.
• Fanal is cloud country. It's often cold, wet and white-out foggy on the plateau while Funchal is sunny — pack for rain and bring a torch for the dim forest and any tunnels.
• The path is slick. Moss, mud and roots make the descent slippery; grippy shoes and poles help, especially after rain.