Balcões is one of the most popular sights in Madeira. Built on a high rock promontory above a deep wooded valley, the small viewing platform with railings offers spectacular views of Madeira's forested mountainous hinterland.

Often the view is obscured by fog, but if you're lucky you'll be able to see the highest peaks on the island - the entire ridge from Pico Arieiro (1,818m) to Pico das Torres (1,847m) and Pico Ruivo (1,861m) to Pico das Pedras (1,302m).

The balconies are reached by a 1.5 km long flat path called Vereda dos Balcões (marked PR 11), which starts near the trout breeding station in the Ribeiro Frío reserve and takes the average trained hiker no more than 45 minutes one way.

Entrance to the trail is payable and costs 3 eur and must be booked online at simplifica.madeira.gov.pt.

There is free parking at the trailhead as well as a bus stop for lines 56, 103 and 138 running between Funchal, Faial and Santana, see timetables: horariosdofunchal.pt.