Paul da Serra, the island's high plateau
A flat moor at about 1,500 m between the north and south coasts, crossed by a straight road and often in cloud.
Paul da Serra at a glance
Madeira's only high plateau, a flat moor at about 1,500 m between the north and south coasts, often in cloud.
- Where
- Ponta do Sol and Calheta, on the plateau in the west
- From Funchal by car
- about 60 min
- Time to allow
- a stop on the way
- Altitude
- 1,500 m
- Foggy days a year
- more than 240
- Road from Encumeada
- closed (since January 2024)
Go there with us
- West Madeira: Porto Moniz, Seixal and Fanal Private tour 8 h €2501–4
- Night camp above the clouds: the evening and sunrise trips Private tour 17 h Waitlist
- Paul da Serra: Rabaçal and 25 Fontes, Vereda do Fanal Hiking transfer Your times drop-off and pickup €1951–4
Prices are for the whole car, not per person. Each page has the price for 5 or 6.
What you see
Paul da Serra is the largest mountain plateau in the archipelago and the only one on Madeira, at about 1,500 m. After the steep valleys everywhere else, it is a surprise: open moor of low scrub and grass, a road that runs straight, and wind turbines on the skyline. On clear days you see both the south and the north coasts.
The plateau is the starting point for the walks to Rabaçal and 25 Fontes and for the PR13 down to Fanal. At its eastern edge, the Bica da Cana viewpoint, 1,580 m up, looks down the São Vicente valley.
Before you go
- Expect cloud. The plateau sees fog on more than 240 days a year. The view comes and goes in minutes.
- It is cold up here. The mean temperature in January is 5.6 °C, so bring a warm layer in any month.
- Roads up. The ER105 from Encumeada is closed (since January 2024). The plateau is reached from Canhas on the south coast, from Porto Moniz or from Ribeira da Janela by Fanal.
Paul da Serra with us
Our west Madeira day crosses the plateau after Fanal and stops for a few minutes if the view is clear. The night camp is set at Bica da Cana, and the hiking transfers drop walkers at Rabaçal and at the start of the PR13.
Nearby, on the same day
All places-
Rabaçal and 25 Fontes
A forest house below the Paul da Serra plateau where levada walks lead to the 25 Fontes pool and the Risco waterfall.
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Fanal
Centuries-old til trees standing in open grass on the plateau above Seixal, often in fog.
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Encumeada
A viewpoint at 1,007 m on the island's central ridge, over the Ribeira Brava valley to the south and São Vicente to the north.
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Ponta do Sol
A small south-west coast town with a pebble beach, a stone pier from 1849 and a 15th-century church.
Paul da Serra questions
Can you drive from Encumeada to Paul da Serra?
Not at the moment: the ER105 from Encumeada is closed (since January 2024). Drive up from Canhas on the south coast, from Porto Moniz or from Ribeira da Janela by Fanal.
Is Paul da Serra worth a stop?
On a clear day, yes, for a few minutes of open moor and views to both coasts. In fog there is little to see, so plan it as the way to Rabaçal or Fanal rather than a goal.
Cross the plateau on the west day
Fanal, the plateau and the north-west coast in one day from your hotel. Send us a date and we reply within 60 minutes, 07:00–22:00, with the price for the car.
West Madeira: Porto Moniz, Seixal and Fanal €250 per car for 1 to 4 people, €290 for 5 or 6