Santana Madeira Biosfera

Starting from “Ribeiro Frio” and walking about 1 mile through the Laurisilva forest you can find the viewpoint of “Balcões”.

Situated in the parish of “São Roque do Faial” and included within the limits of the Natural Park of Madeira this viewpoint offers a fantastic landscape that covers some of the highest peaks of the central mountain range, including the “Pico do Areeiro” and “Pico Ruivo”. Further down, you can admire the lush valleys of “Fajã da Nogueira” and of “Fajã da Ribeira da Metade” and following up the coastline, the “Penha d ' Águia”, completes all this geologic splendor.

The viewpoint of “Ribeiro Frio”, located in the parish of “São Roque do Faial”, displays a fabulous view of the lush green mountains of the North coast of the island. Often, there is fog in the area which makes this beautiful landscape even more puzzling.

Located in the high areas of “Faial”, on the site of the “Cruzinhas”, this lookout provides sweeping views of the intricate upstream “Ribeira Seca” valley, offering an unspoiled landscape of Laurissilva forest

Situated next to the cemetery of the parish of “São Roque do Faial”, this viewpoint offers a panoramic view from the imposing “Penha d ' Águia” to the center of “São Roque do Faial”.

Located at the highest point of the island, the “Miradouro do Pico Ruivo”, only accessible via a footpath from “Pico do Areeiro” or from “Achada do Teixeira”.

The spectacular view of this point surprises the visitors. In clear sky days is possible to see the deep valley of “Curral das Freiras”, on the municipality of “Câmara de Lobos”, Santana and the intricate valleys of “Ribeira Grande” and “Ribeira de São Jorge”. This viewpoint offers yet on the East view of the “Ponta de São Lourenço”, “Paul da Serra”, the island of Porto Santo and the “Desertas” Islands.

This lookout is accessible via the road that leads to “Achada do Teixeira”, shortly after passing through the “Picarouto”.

From this point you can enjoy a view that covers much of the East Coast, from the parish of “São Jorge” to the “Ponta de São Lourenço”, and in days of good visibility you can even see the island of Porto Santo to the Northeast.

The road is open every day from 07:00 am to 09:00 pm.

Located in the “Parque Florestal do Pico das Pedras” along the road that connects to the “Achada do Teixeira”, the viewpoint of “Picarouto” displays a magnificent panoramic view from “São Jorge” to the “Ponta de São Lourenço”, standing out the “Penha d ' Águia” rock formation in “Porto da Cruz”. On the other side you can admire the Mountainous Central Massif.

The road is open every day from 07:00 am to 09:00 pm.

Along the curbside of stone roads that made the connection between the “Funchal” and “Santana” is the viewpoint of “Cova da Roda”, a vantage point to enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the North Coast, where stands the “Penha d ' Águia” rock and the “Ponta de São Lourenço”.

From the viewpoint of the “Galé” you can admire a fantastic panorama from the coast of “Faial” to the geomonument “Penha d ' Águia”.

Situated in one of the strands of the mouth of “Ribeira do Faial” this viewpoint offers a panoramic view over the vast ocean that bathes the North coast of the island from “Faial” to “Ponta de São Lourenço”, and in days of good visibility you can see the island of Porto Santo to the Northeast.

From this point you can also contemplate the magnificent coastal geology, which stands the imposing rock formation of “Penha d ' Águia” and the Pebble Beach of the mouth of “Ribeira do Faial”.

Offering a privileged view over the village of “Faial” and the “Penha d ' Águia”, this viewpoint allows you to admire the harmonious relationship between man and nature that the Biosphere Reserve is an example.

Of this viewpoint, located close to the center of Santana, you can be dazzled with the indented coastline of the parish of Faial, where the immense rock of “Penha d ' Águia” stands out.

The Viewpoint of “Santo António” offers a view to the cliff of “Achada do Gramacho”, where the Hotel Quinta do Furãois, as well as some homes among the fields of vineyards and picturesque gardens are situated.

This viewpoint also shows a beautiful view over the “Fajã da Rocha do Navio”.

Surrounded by a colourful garden and the picturesque typical houses, this viewpoint offers a welcoming panoramic over the lush fields of Santana.

From this terrace you can admire the extraordinary natural richness that the site of “Rocha do Navio” houses.

The Cliff by the sea is accessible via a steep footpath in the rock or a cable car which leads to the Centre of the Biosphere.

The Viewpoint of “Quinta do Furão” is situated on a cliff top, the “Achada do Gramacho”, and is inserted into the area of the Hotel Quinta do Furão where the beauty of the gardens and vineyards of this hotel unit fuses with the blue of the ocean and with the clipped across the northeast coast, seconded to the islet of the widow (Ilhéu da Viúva) in the natural reserve of “Rocha do Navio”.

The picturesque centre of Santana can be sighted from the viewpoint of “Cabeço do Resto”, situated in the parish of “Ilha” (island).

The name of this town is derived from the fact that it is located between two springs surrounded by water on all sides, like an island.

In the parish of “Ilha”, the Viewpoint of “Eiras” shows stunning views of a beautiful small river valley covered by the Laurissilva forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Located on one of the slopes of the “Ribeira de São Jorge”, the viewpoint of “Pico” allows a view of the mountains that surround the parish of “Ilha”, providing a panoramic view of the mouth of “Ribeira de São Jorge” and of the bathing complex.

Located in “São Jorge” this viewpoint offers an overview on the West coast of the North of the island, from the “Arco de São Jorge”, via “Ponta Delgada” and “Seixal” and ending in “Porto Moniz”.

On the other side, you can see the lighthouse of “São Jorge”. In days of good visibility, you can also see the island of Porto Santo. This viewpoint is an important spot for whale watching.

Located between “São Jorge” and “Arco de São Jorge” the viewpoint of “Beira da Quinta” is a compulsory stopping point.

The fabulous view from this point on the charming town of “Arco de São Jorge” and the towering craggy mountains that surround it, entice its visitors.

The eye can see even the entire northwest coast until “Porto Moniz” and to complete the overview, on clear days you can see the silhouette of the Porto Santo a few miles to the Northeast.

Located atop a craggy arc-shaped mountain, which gives name to the parish that thrives on the bottom, this viewpoint offers a panoramic view of “Arco de São Jorge” and its beautiful vineyards.

Located in the middle of the parish of “São Jorge”, the viewpoint of “Boca das Voltas” lets you enjoy a magnificent panoramic view over the “Falcas”, “Achada da Madeira”, “Lombo do Urzal” and further over the mouth of “Ribeira do Porco” in the parish of “Boaventura”, municipality of “São Vicente”.

Viewpoint of “Cabo Áereo”, in “Arco de São Jorge”, owes its name to the cable that exists there and which once was used to help farmers and fishermen in the transportation of goods, namely sugar cane produced in this city that once was routed through maritime transport to the mills.