Why go
The forest preserves a type of vegetation that once spread more widely through southern Europe and northwest Africa. Its distinctive plants and animals make the green interior different from the cultivated slopes and settled coast. The Trocaz pigeon is one of the birds tied to this habitat.
The full story
Madeira’s laurel forest is a remnant of an older forest type. It survived where humid conditions suited it, especially away from the drier southern coast. Portuguese settlement brought extensive clearing for farming and altered the balance between native woodland and cultivated land. Introduced species, grazing and visitor pressure have also been identified as threats. The Trocaz pigeon and Madeira firecrest are among the island’s distinctive birds, while seabirds use the surrounding Atlantic islands. The point of a forest walk is therefore more than reaching a view: notice how dense, moisture-loving vegetation differs from fields, roads and exposed ridges nearby. Treat the woodland as a living habitat and stay with marked paths where available. The island’s environmental story links its dramatic scenery to a continuing need to protect what remains of the native ecosystem.