Viewpoints overlooking the valley and north coast, trails through the laurel forest and historic buildings reveal Faial’s many different sides. To plan your trip, you can first decide whether you’d mainly like to hike, enjoy coastal views or explore the history of the area.

Viewpoints and trails through nature

Miradouro das Cruzinhas is located in the higher parts of Faial. From there, you can look out over the upper valley of Ribeira Seca and an unspoilt laurel forest landscape. Miradouro do Guindaste offers a different perspective: It sits on a slope at the mouth of Ribeira do Faial and opens up panoramic views across Faial’s north coast to Ponta de São Lourenço. The two viewpoints offer different highlights—one overlooking the valley and laurel forest, the other the coast.

The hiking trails also differ in the features described. Vereda da Penha D'Águia starts at Sítio dos Moinhos in Faial and leads to the summit of Penha d'Águia. This difficult hike is about 4.7 kilometres long and is estimated to take around three hours. Several viewpoints along the way offer views of Faial, São Roque do Faial and Porto da Cruz. The estimated duration helps you fit this excursion into your day’s plans.

Levada da Fajã da Nogueira–Caldeirão do Inferno–Queimadas starts at the Fajã da Nogueira hydroelectric power station and ends at Parque Florestal das Queimadas. In between, the route passes through the laurel forest and by numerous waterfalls. Levada do Furado, on the other hand, is notable for its length and route: it crosses the Serra do Faial for just over ten kilometres between Ribeiro Frio and Portela. Along this trail, you can observe rare plants native to Madeira, including the small, delicate mountain orchid.

Coast and geological features

At the mouth of Ribeira do Faial, there is a small pebble beach with a natural swimming pool. The bathing complex also includes a saltwater pool for children. A go-kart track is located near the beach—a separate attraction for visitors interested in motorsports as well as the coast.

A geological formation created by lava flows and featuring columnar jointing also lies right next to the mouth of Ribeira do Faial. It adds an opportunity to learn about the area’s geology to the nature experiences on offer. At this same coastal location, the beach and swimming pools are one highlight, while the geological feature is another.

Historic sites in Faial

Fortim do Faial was built in the 18th century to help guard against intruders. It has been considered a monument of local value since 1996. Capela de Nossa Senhora da Penha de França offers a different historical and religious connection: its official establishment dates back to 1685. The small, picturesque chapel is in Fazenda, in the parish of Faial, and is built into a large rock. The old pilgrimage to Penha de França was also revived in 1984.

Another testament to the area’s history is Ponte Velha do Faial. A storm destroyed the bridge in 1984; only three of its original seven arches remain today. Together, the chapel, fort and bridge offer different perspectives on Faial’s history—from religious tradition and defence to the changing fate of a structure.

If you’re looking for a hotel in Faial, you can base your choice on the experiences you’d like to prioritise during your trip: hikes and viewpoints, the coast or historic sites. The trails and attractions described here offer a range of themes, without prescribing a set itinerary.

Discover more destinations: Ribeiro Frio, Sao Goncalo, Lombada Velha, Tabua, Fajã Da Ovelha, Machico, Madalena Do Mar, Vila Baleira.

See the main travel overview: Madeira.