At first glance, this trail might seem a bit chaotic – and honestly, it kind of is. It was born out of chaos.

We originally set out for a mountain trail, but the weather had other plans. It was pouring up in the hills, visibility was close to zero, so we drove down below the clouds where the rain hadn’t reached yet. On the way, we planned a quick stop at the Pico Alto viewpoint. But once we were there, we thought – why not explore the area a bit?

And we’re glad we did. The Funchal Ecological Park turned out to be a lovely surprise. Right at the start, we were welcomed by the cozy restaurant O Barracão, with a few eco-cabins tucked into the hillside above it. If you’re looking for peaceful accommodation in nature, this is a great option.

We continued through the park to the main road, hoping to connect with one of the lower trails beneath the park. But that didn’t work out – the area was private land and completely closed off. So we kept walking a bit further and eventually made it through the forest to a beautiful campground: Montado do Pereiro.

There, a few locals were barbecuing and enjoying their day. When it started raining again, we took shelter in one of the gazebos. That’s when the magic happened – they offered us a little taste of their grilled food. A small but unforgettable moment.

We walked around the campground and took a relaxed loop back to the ecological park and our car. Along the way, we passed countless sheep that gave the landscape a fairytale feel. The views are stunning, and to top it off, we stumbled upon a small, nameless levada we weren’t expecting at all.

The whole trail feels calm, natural, and full of discovery. It’s not a precise route from a guidebook.
It’s the kind of hike you shape as you go, letting the landscape guide you.