Things to do at the Balcões viewpoint

The Levada dos Balcões starts at Ribeiro Frio, about 25 minutes' drive from Funchal on the ER103, and takes roughly an hour there and back on a mostly flat, well-shaded path through laurel forest.

It ends at a fenced platform with the closest easy view of Pico Ruivo (1,862m) and Pico das Torres (1,851m) without any real climbing. Mornings are the best bet, since cloud tends to build over the peaks from around midday, and the trail can close after heavy rain.

pt, around 3 euros per person per day, checked at the entrance.