Places to eat
Ribeiro Frio
1960s trout hatchery in the laurel forest; roadside restaurants serve fresh trout.
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The place
Ribeiro Frio's government trout farm has been breeding rainbow trout since 1960 to restock the island's streams, and the ponds beside the road are still the main event for most visitors, with local restaurants serving up the fresh catch afterward. Sitting at 860 m in the Laurissilva forest, it also doubles as the trailhead for two of the island's best-known levada walks, to Balcões and on to Portela.
When to come
Late morning, combined with the Balcões walk; cool at altitude year-round.
Worth knowing
- Trout farm entry around 3 euros, free under 12
- Trailhead for PR11 (Balcões) and PR10 (Levada do Furado to Portela)
- Roadside restaurants serve trout and grilled chouriço