The Mysterious, Magical Laurel Forest, Fanal

Fanal Forest, Madeira, Portugal
The Mysterious, Magical Laurel Forest, Fanal
The Fanal Forest is a magical forest in the north of the island of Madeira. Often, but not always, there is a mysterious fog among the 600-year-old trees in the forest, creating scenes straight out of a movie! The twisted tree branches covered in layers of moss take on such interesting shapes that they almost seem to be alive. Whether you are a tourist, an amateur photographer or a professional, you must experience the Fanal Forest with fog at least once! Since the weather conditions in Madeira are very varied, you have to be lucky to find the perfect conditions! Sometimes the fog is too wet, too dense, or there is no fog at all…
About the Fanal Forest
The magical Fanal Forest is part of the Laurisilva Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its ecological importance and beauty. Between 15 and 40 million years ago, this type of laurel forest covered much of southern Europe. Today, however, it is only found in Madeira, the Azores and the Canary Islands. When explorers first saw Madeira, most of the island was covered in the beautiful Laurisilva forest. Today, however, only 16% of the forest remains on the island. It is very important to preserve these forests, as they play a significant role in the hydrological balance of the island of Madeira. However, thanks to its UNESCO status, the Fanal forest is protected and will remain untouched for a long time to come, so that these ancient trees can continue to flourish. In addition to the mystical Fanal forest, Rabaçcal, around Fanal, is particularly famous for its wonderful levada walks. Part of the forest is the Vereda do Fanal, where you can admire further parts of the beautiful Laurisilva forest. The Levada dos Cedros and the Levada das 25 Fontes are both fun levada walks where you can see not only the Laurisilva forest, but also some of Madeira’s most beautiful waterfalls.
Is the Fanal Forest always foggy?
The fog in the Fanal Forest gives the forest a mystical and magical feel, creating a calm and otherworldly atmosphere. However, fog in Fanal is not always guaranteed or constant. On some days the Fanal Forest can be completely clear, while on other days the fog can be extreme. The best time to experience fog in Madeira’s Fanal Forest is typically during the cooler and more humid autumn and winter months. The island’s weather is influenced by the surrounding Atlantic Ocean, and these seasons tend to provide the best conditions for fog formation. Specifically, the period from late autumn (November) to winter (December to February) is often considered favorable for encountering fog in the Fanal Forest. During these months, higher humidity and lower temperatures can contribute to the formation of mist and fog, creating a mystical and atmospheric environment in the forest.
The fog is not always there, of course, but it is quite common for it to reach this area of ​​the island, which is 1,150 meters above sea level.