Queimadas Forest Park is one of Madeira’s easiest places to experience the lush Laurissilva landscape without committing to a full-day hike. Hidden above Santana, it combines a traditional thatched house, woodland picnic areas, birdsong and the trailhead for the celebrated Levada do Caldeirão Verde. In this updated guide: how to drive there, what Queimadas Forest Park Madeira parking costs, what facilities to expect, how to handle the damp mountain weather and which walks begin nearby.
What makes Queimadas Forest Park worth visiting?
Queimadas is a forest recreation area on Madeira’s green north coast, above Santana. It is often treated simply as the starting point for PR 9 Levada do Caldeirão Verde, but it deserves time in its own right. The setting is particularly atmospheric: tall trees, mossy slopes, small watercourses and a cool, humid feel that is markedly different from Funchal or the sunnier south coast.
The visual centrepiece is Casa das Queimadas, a former shelter built in the early 20th century in the traditional Santana style: triangular in profile, with a steep thatched roof. Its upper floors now house the Casa das Tradições Madeirenses, a small exhibition space recreating aspects of Madeiran domestic life around the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The ground floor operates as a visitor reception point, where visitors can obtain local information and pay for parking.
Even if you are not hiking, Queimadas works well for a slow morning or picnic stop. The official forest-park facilities include a picnic area, café or snack service, shop, public toilets, a birdwatching shelter and paid public parking.
| Location | Queimadas Forest Park, Sítio das Queimadas, Santana |
| Best for | Laurissilva scenery, picnics, traditional architecture and walks |
| Parking | Paid public parking; €2 per hour |
| Public transport | No direct public-transport access to the forest park |
| Reception centre hours | Weekdays 09:00–18:00; weekends and public holidays 11:00–18:00; closed on 25 December and 1 January |
| Casa das Tradições admission | €3 for visitors over 12; exemptions apply for Madeira residents and children aged 12 and under |
| Main hike from Queimadas | PR 9 Levada do Caldeirão Verde: 17.4 km return, moderate, around 6 hours 30 minutes |
Driving to Queimadas and using the parking area
Driving is the most practical way to visit Queimadas independently. From Santana, follow the signed roads uphill towards Queimadas; the final approach is a mountain road, so allow extra time rather than treating it as a quick detour. The road is paved, but bends are frequent and visibility can be reduced by mist, especially after rain.
There is a proper public car park at the forest park, rather than roadside parking being the sensible plan. The current published rate is €2 per hour. Payment can be handled through the reception centre, and the visitor centre is also where you can ask about conditions before setting off on a trail.
Arrive early if Queimadas is the first stop on your day, particularly in fine weather and during busy holiday periods. It is one of Madeira’s most popular forest access points, and walkers using PR 9 share the same arrival area as visitors coming solely for the park, house and picnic grounds. Avoid leaving valuables visible in the car, bring a payment card or cash alternative, and do not assume you can easily continue onwards by bus: the official park information states that there is no public-transport access here.
The thatched house, picnic area and what to expect on arrival
The Casa das Queimadas is worth seeing before the hiking crowds disperse. Its thatched roof is one of the most photogenic examples of Santana-style architecture, although it is a historic shelter rather than one of the small private houses in Santana town. If you want to see the interior exhibition, allow a little extra time and check at reception on arrival.
For a relaxed visit, bring a picnic and use the designated tables rather than eating on paths or forest banks. The park has toilets and food-service facilities, but mountain opening arrangements can change, so carrying water and something simple to eat remains sensible. The area is not a campsite; overnight camping should not be assumed to be permitted.
Take a quiet moment to listen as well as look. Queimadas is a good place to notice Madeira’s forest birdlife, including the Madeiran chaffinch, Madeira firecrest and trocaz pigeon. For more context before your visit, see our guide to Madeira’s endemic birds and where to see them.
Weather realities: why Queimadas can feel colder than the coast
Do not judge Queimadas weather by conditions at your hotel. The park sits in Madeira’s wetter, higher north-coast interior, where cloud can arrive quickly and the forest often feels cool, damp and muddy underfoot. That moisture is part of the appeal: it supports the vivid greens, ferns and mosses that give the Laurissilva its fairytale character.
Pack a waterproof layer even when the forecast for Funchal looks dry. Closed shoes with grip are enough for the immediate picnic area, but proper walking footwear is strongly advisable for PR 9 or any uneven forest path. A warm layer, drinking water and a torch are essential for the Caldeirão Verde route because it includes four rock-cut tunnels.
Before leaving Santana, check the official IFCN trail-status page as well as the weather forecast. Trail closures or restrictions can be imposed for safety because of weather, erosion, works or ground conditions; an ordinary weather warning does not automatically close every route, but the published status for each trail is the information that matters. For seasonal planning, our Madeira weather by month guide explains the island’s changing hiking conditions.
Walks from Queimadas: PR 9 and an easier forest option
PR 9 Levada do Caldeirão Verde is the reason many visitors come to Queimadas. The out-and-back route follows an 18th-century levada through Laurissilva forest towards the Caldeirão Verde lagoon and waterfall. Official information lists it as 8.7 km each way, 17.4 km return, of moderate difficulty, with an estimated duration of around six and a half hours. The route passes through four tunnels, so a torch is not optional.
PR 9 requires advance registration and a time-slot reservation through Madeira’s SIMplifica system. In 2026, the standard individual fee for a classified trail other than PR 1 is €4.50 for non-resident visitors; children aged 12 and under are exempt from payment but still require registration and reservation. Madeira residents are also exempt from the fee but must reserve.
If a six-hour hike is not for you, stay close to the park and look for the accessible Queimadas–Pico das Pedras route, officially described as “A Path for All”. It offers a gentler way to enjoy the woodland atmosphere without turning your visit into an endurance day. For car-free alternatives elsewhere on the island, read our guide to Madeira hikes without a car.
Insider tips for a smoother Queimadas visit
- Visit before lunch: arrive early for quieter picnic areas, easier parking and a calmer view of the thatched house.
- Reserve PR 9 before driving up: do not rely on being able to arrange a hiking slot after you arrive.
- Separate the park visit from the full hike: Queimadas itself can be enjoyed in an hour or two; Caldeirão Verde is a substantial day walk.
- Take a torch, not just a phone: the four PR 9 tunnels are dark, wet and uneven.
- Dress for dampness: waterproof outer layers and grippy footwear are more useful here than beach-weather clothing.
- Respect the forest: use the bins, stay on marked paths and keep noise low around picnic and birdwatching areas.
Frequently asked questions
Is Queimadas Forest Park free to enter?
The forest park itself is a public recreation area, but parking is paid. If you plan to walk PR 9 Levada do Caldeirão Verde, advance registration and the applicable classified-trail fee are required for non-resident visitors over 12.
Can I visit Queimadas without hiking to Caldeirão Verde?
Yes. You can see the traditional thatched house, use the picnic area, enjoy the forest setting and take a short woodland stroll without doing the full PR 9 route.
How much is parking at Queimadas Forest Park?
The published parking price is €2 per hour. Check locally for any operational changes when you arrive.
Is Queimadas suitable for children?
Yes, for a picnic and short supervised visit around the park. PR 9 is much more demanding: it is long, includes tunnels and can be slippery, so judge it by the abilities and equipment of everyone in your group.
Facts and prices verified in November 2026. Continue planning with our guides to Madeira’s largest forests, Madeira’s public gardens and the Hiking & Levadas category.
