Chão dos Louros

Due to its good accessibility, as well as its recreational and leisure facilities, the Chão dos Louros Forest Park has become one of the most sought-after natural spaces in Madeira.

Situated in the municipality of São Vicente, this place is home to a landscape heritage that leaves no one indifferent.

In Chão dos Louros there are predominantly trees of the Lauraceae family, were we not in the heart of the Laurissilva Forest, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site.

Thus, you can enjoy a quiet walk to appreciate endemic species such as the laurel tree (Laurus novocanariensis) - the abundance of which justifies the name of the forest -, the 'Madre-de-Louro' (Laurobasidium laurii) fungi genus, the Til (Ocotea foetens) or the Madeira mahogany (Persea indica).

This ecosystem, which also includes plants such as the Lily-of-the-Valley Tree (Clethra arborea), the Firetree (Morella faya) and the Madeira Blueberry (Vaccinium padifolium), for example, is home to a rich birdlife.

At Chão dos Louros you may come across animals such as the firecrest (Regulus madeirensis), a small endemic species, the chaffinch (Fringila coelebs madeirensis) or the Madeira pigeon (Columba trocaz), also endemic.

Around here, there are several leisure areas suitable for picnics, with tables and benches, fountains, fireplaces and lawn areas.

Finally, you can take the opportunity to start the PR 22 - Vereda do Chão dos Louros hiking trail here.