Miradouro dos Balcões, Mountain observation point in Ribeiro Frio, Portugal
The Balcões viewpoint offers views of Madeira's central mountain range, including Pico do Areeiro and Pico Ruivo peaks reaching 1817 and 1861 meters.
The construction of levadas, traditional water channels across Madeira, established this location as a natural stopping point for agricultural workers in past centuries.
Local communities maintain traditional practices of feeding native birds, particularly chaffinches, which gather near the observation platform throughout the year.
The viewpoint connects to a 2.7-kilometer walking trail with an elevation gain of 112 meters, requiring approximately one hour to complete round trip.
Native Laurissilva forest trees, including Til and Vinhatico species, create natural corridors along the path leading to the observation point.
Location: Ribeiro Frio
Address: P4R5+JV, 9230 Ribeiro Frio, Portugal 9230 Ribeiro Frio
GPS coordinates: 32.74156,-16.89028
Latest update: October 24, 2025 17:38
This collection covers the main natural areas and cultural sites across Madeira, a Portuguese island of volcanic origin in the Atlantic Ocean. The route connects coastal regions with highland areas, showcasing the diverse vegetation that results from the subtropical climate and varied elevation levels. Included locations feature Pico Ruivo, the island's highest peak at 1,861 meters, the sea cliffs at Cabo Girão, the botanical gardens of Funchal with plant collections from multiple continents, and several coastal and mountain viewpoints. The route also incorporates examples of traditional levada irrigation channels, which have distributed water across the island for centuries.
Casas de Santana
7.1 km
Pico Ruivo
5.3 km
Pico do Arieiro
3.7 km
Achada do Teixeira
3.9 km
Parque Temático da Madeira
6.8 km
Madeira Natural Park
6 km
Pico das Torres
4.3 km
Terreiro da Luta
6.4 km
Fábrica de aguardente da Companhia dos Engenhos do Norte
6.9 km
Portela
6 km
Levada do Furado
636 m
Miradouro do Paredão
6.5 km
"Bussardnest"
4.1 km
Estação de Radar N.º 4
3.6 km
Pico do Suna
3.4 km
Santuário da Nossa Senhora da Paz
6.4 km
Pico das Pedras
4.1 km
Pico Ruivo
5.2 km
Caldeirão do Inferno
6.1 km
Monumento a Nossa Senhora da Paz
6.4 km
Poço da Neve
3.7 km
Fortim do Porto da Cruz
7 km
Praça Velha
6.9 km
Fortim do Faial
6.5 km
Levadas of Madeira Island
6.7 km
Levada do Castelejo
4.6 km
Casa de Abrigo do Pico Ruivo
5.2 km
Pico das Pedras
6 kmReviews
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