The route PR5 Vereda das Funduras Hiking Trail with 8.7 km and with a duration of 3 hours, starts at the Portela belvedere with a magnificent view of the north coast of Madeira, crossing the mountains of Machico, in the southern part of the island on the site of Maroços.
Portela Viewpoint offers magnificent on the parishes of Porto da Cruz and Faial, dominated by the rock mass of Penha d’Águia.
The route follows the forest road saw the Funduras only after entering the path through the interior of laurel forest, a little further on there is the “House of Funduras”, which supports forestry activities.
Along the route can be found native species of Madeira – Laurel Forest, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in December 1999. This saw is the best Laurisilva forest area of ??South side of the island of Madeira, included in the European network Community-Network importance Natura 2000 sites.
This natural forest is very important for the island ecological balance, being the mainstay of endemic flora and fauna. This forest is of great importance in view of its water retention effect of fogs (hidden rainfall).
Ira browse various species of Lauraceae family: The laurel (Laurus novocanariensis), the tilde (foetens Ocotea), the Vinhático (Persea indica) and less frequent the Barbusano (Apollonias barbujana). You can also other species such as puff pastry (Clethra arborea), the Holly (Ilex perado ssp. Perado), the White Pau (Picconia excelsa), the madeiran cheesewood (Pittosporum coriaceum), the other madeiran cheesewood (Mocanera Visnea) and Sanguinho (Rhamnus glandulosa ).
This route ends in Maroços, crossing traditional terraced poles that characterize the Madeiran agricultural landscape.
Distance: 8,7 Km
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 3 hours
Start/Finish: Portela Viewpoint / Maroços
Highest point/Lowest point: 605 m / 175 m
Warning tips: The Climate is very variable, take warm clothing.