Vereda dos Balcões is a short trail 1.5 km each way, that takes you to the Balcões Viewpoint. Beginning at regional road ER 103, in Ribeiro Frio, this trail is easy and takes about 1:30 hours alongside Levada da Serra do Faial. At the Balcões viewpoint, where you can take a glimpse at the magnificent scenery..... valleys covered by the dense green area that characterises the Laurissilva. From here you can also see the Hydroelectric Power Plant of Fajã da Nogueira and, on clear days, the central mountain range of the island, with Pico do Areeiro, Pico das Torres and Pico Ruivo standing out.

Ribeiro Frio can be reached by bus from Funchal taking the 56, 103 or 138, and the bus ride costs a modest Euro 2.6 p.p. each way. Unfortunately there are not many buses; the 10:00 hrs bus is the most popular and the next one is at 13:30 hrs. We missed the 10:00 bus, and opted for a taxi at Euro 40 for one way. It was either that or not go at all.

The is a Euro 3 p.p. charge for entering the levada, which can eithre b paid online, or to a man at the entrance