Balcões Viewpoint

The Balcões walk is the easiest thing of its kind on Madeira: about a kilometre and a half each way along the Levada da Serra do Faial from the roadside at Ribeiro Frio, almost level, wide, through laurel forest, ending at a stone platform - the balcony - on a spur above the Ribeira da Metade. From it the valley opens below and, on a clear day, the island's highest peaks stand at the head of it: Pico Ruivo, Pico das Torres and Pico do Arieiro. Chaffinches at the viewpoint have been fed by visitors for years and will land on an outstretched hand, which people enjoy and which the park service discourages, since it changes the birds' behaviour and diet. Ribeiro Frio has a trout hatchery and a couple of restaurants. It is the walk to do when the weather rules out anything longer.

What you actually see

• The balcony - a stone platform on a spur above the Metade valley.
• The peaks - Ruivo, Torres and Arieiro at the head of the valley on clear days.
• The levada - a flat, wide channel path through laurel forest.
• The chaffinches - birds habituated to hand-feeding, which the park discourages.

When to go

Year-round. One hour return. Morning for the best chance of clear peaks - cloud builds through the day.

Honest expectations

Cloud hides the peaks a large proportion of the time. The path is short and busy, with coach groups stopping at Ribeiro Frio. Feeding the birds is discouraged for good reason. Parking at the trailhead is roadside and limited.

Nearby

Ribeiro Frio's trout hatchery is at the trailhead; Pico do Arieiro is up the mountain road.