Laurisilva of Madeira
Nature Reserve Macaronesian laurel forest with high endemism and humidity
Madeira’s laurel forest covers steep slopes with endemic tree species and a network of levada irrigation channels. Hikers come for damp cloud-forest walks, botanical variety and the island’s cliff-side trails.
The Laurisilva of Madeira is a natural forested landscape on the island of Madeira characterised by laurel-dominated (laurisilva) woodlands. It represents a surviving fragment of the widespread laurel forests that covered much of southern Europe in the Tertiary.
Hikers and nature visitors use a network of trails and levadas to visit dense, evergreen laurel forest with high humidity, mosses and a rich understorey of endemic species. The forest is valued for biodiversity, endemic flora and as a refuge for species of conservation interest.
The laurisilva is a relict ecological formation that persisted on Madeira through climatic changes that removed similar forests elsewhere in Europe; its survival preserved a high level of endemism. Conservation measures protect large tracts of the forest and its ecological processes.
The laurel forest areas are situated on the island of Madeira in the North Atlantic, occupying mountainous and mid-elevation slopes where humidity and mild temperatures support evergreen forest cover.
- Relict laurel forest: The laurisilva is a relict type of subtropical humid forest that survived from the Tertiary and supports many endemic plants and invertebrates on Madeira.
How to Get to Laurisilva of Madeira #
The Laurisilva of Madeira covers mountainous forested parts of Madeira island and is most conveniently reached from Funchal, the island’s main town and transport hub. By car it’s a 20-50 km drive from Funchal to key access points (for example Ribeiro Frio or Santana) via the VR1 and the north‑coast roads; driving times vary with the chosen trailhead. Public transport: CTM interurban buses run from Funchal to towns such as Santana and to some trailheads - check CTM timetables for specific services; from bus stops access to laurisilva trails typically involves a short walk of up to a few kilometres depending on the route.
Tips for Visiting Laurisilva of Madeira #
- Start popular levada walks (e.g., at Queimadas or Rabaçal) early in the morning to beat both guided groups and the brief periods of thicker cloud that can roll into the laurisilva.
- Use official trailheads such as Ribeiro Frio and Queimadas for reliable signage and links to marked PR routes; these sites also have local information and are good jumping-off points for quieter paths.
- If you want quieter forest experience, choose less-frequented levadas like Caldeirão Verde/Caldeirão do Inferno rather than the busiest 25 Fontes trail, and check recent trail conditions-storms can cause temporary closures.
Best Time to Visit Laurisilva of Madeira #
Year‑round mild climate makes spring and autumn the most comfortable times to visit the Laurisilva, avoiding winter rain and peak summer crowds.
Weather & Climate near Laurisilva of Madeira #
Laurisilva of Madeira's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Mediterranean - Warm-Summer Mediterranean climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and cool winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 8°C to 20°C. Moderate rainfall (808 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is cool with highs of 12°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (109 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.
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February
February is the coolest month with highs of 12°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (87 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.
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March
March is cool with highs of 13°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (86 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.
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April
April is cool with highs of 13°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.
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May
May is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 12°C. Light rainfall.
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July
July is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 14°C. The driest month with just 11 mm and mostly sunny skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 15°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 13°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 11°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.
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December
December is cool with highs of 13°C and lows of 9°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (117 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.
