Trail Update: The Long-Awaited Reopening of PR1
Great news for all mountain hiking enthusiasts! The Madeira Forest Institute (IFCN) has confirmed that the iconic PR1 – Vereda do Areeiro ridge trail, connecting Pico do Areeiro and Pico Ruivo, will be fully open from Friday, June 26th, without any restrictions. This marks the end of the period when the trail was only accessible on weekends due to maintenance.
- Who is this for? All hikers planning to traverse the trail between Madeira’s highest peaks.
- What does this mean in practice? Until the end of Thursday, June 25th, the trail remains officially closed. Today, you can legally only access the short section from Pico do Areeiro to the Miradouro da Pedra Rija viewpoint. The full traverse is only possible from Friday onwards.
- Our recommendation: Plan this breathtaking trek for Friday or any day after. Remember that you must purchase a ticket and make a reservation through the SIMplifica portal to access the trail.
In other good news, a section of the PR 1.3 Vereda da Encumeada trail, from Pico Ruivo to the Boca das Torrinhas junction, is now also accessible.
Practical Information and Advisories
Water Outage at Eira do Serrado Viewpoint
If you are planning a trip by car or bus today to the famous Eira do Serrado viewpoint overlooking the Nun’s Valley (Curral das Freiras), be prepared for disruptions. Due to a burst water pipe, the entire access road, Estrada da Eira do Serrado, and the surrounding area are without a drinking water supply.
- Who is affected? Visitors to the Eira do Serrado viewpoint and the Nun’s Valley.
- What does this mean in practice? Repairs are expected to last until late this afternoon. Local restaurants, cafes, and especially public restrooms may be temporarily closed or operating with limited service.
- Our recommendation: We strongly advise you to bring a sufficient supply of your own bottled water.
Funchal Traffic and Cleaner Forests
Drivers should expect potential delays in various parts of Funchal over the next few days. The city is investing €5 million in resurfacing 40 streets, which may cause temporary traffic restrictions.
On a positive note from nature, in response to high visitor numbers, cleaning crews have been significantly reinforced in the most popular areas, such as Fanal, Pico do Areeiro, Queimadas, Rabaçal, and Ribeiro Frio. Thanks to this, we can all enjoy even cleaner and more beautiful laurel forests.
Safety Warning: Increased Fire Risk
Summer weather also brings an increased risk of fires. Over the last 24 hours, firefighters have had to respond repeatedly to two fires in and around Funchal. One broke out in a scrubland area in Santo António, while the other was in the city centre, where a tree trunk was deliberately set on fire in the Rua do Favila pedestrian zone. In both cases, the fires reignited, requiring further intervention.
- Who does this concern? Everyone, both in nature and in the city.
- Our recommendation: Exercise extreme caution. Do not start fires in natural areas and do not discard cigarette butts. Any spark in the current conditions could cause a large-scale fire.
What’s On: Porto Santo Festivities and Jazz in Funchal
Weekend in Porto Santo: Extra Ferry for São João Festivities
Planning a trip to the neighbouring island of Porto Santo? This weekend is the perfect opportunity! The magnificent traditional São João (Saint John) festivities are taking place, which is the biggest event of the year on the island. Demand is so high that the Porto Santo Line company is adding an extra sailing for the Lobo Marinho ferry on Sunday, June 28th.
- Who is this for? Anyone interested in authentic culture, folklore, and a trip to Porto Santo.
- Our recommendation: Don’t hesitate for a moment and book your tickets online. The standard sailings are almost sold out, and seats on the extra service will disappear quickly.
Tonight’s Tip: Rita Redshoes in Concert
If you’re looking for a cultural experience tonight (Wednesday, June 24th), don’t miss the final concert of the “Concertos no Pátio” series at the Castanheiro Boutique Hotel in Funchal’s historic centre. Starting at 9:30 PM, one of Portugal’s best singers, Rita Redshoes, will perform in a jazz duo with guitarist Bruno Santos.
- Who is this for? Fans of live music, jazz, and intimate atmospheres.
- Our recommendation: Due to limited capacity, we recommend checking ticket availability directly with the hotel reception.