The length of the trail is 14  km (8.7 miles) and journey will take you around 04:30 hours. The elevation on the trail is 396  m. The highest point on the trail is 610 m and the lowest 214 m.

It begins at the Portela viewpoint, where Porto da Cruz and the iconic Penha d’Águia unfold beneath you. From here, follow the waymarked PR5 (Vereda das Funduras) into the hush of the laurel forest—springy, needle-strewn ground, ferns, and occasional “balconies” looking out over green valleys. This loop blends the best of Madeira: deep laurisilva calm, historic footpaths, and, toward the end, views across the terraced cultural landscape above Machico. Because you return to Portela, logistics stay simple and there’s no need to juggle transfers between start and finish.

Much of the route runs through forest, which is often fairly damp, so solid waterproof footwear is a must. Higher up—and especially at the initial viewpoint—it tends to be windier; pack a scarf or beanie and you’ll be glad you did. The easiest access is by car, but you can also reach a stop near the trailhead by buses running between Funchal and Porto da Cruz—lines 208, 53, and 20.

The first half is classic PR5: the forest thickens, the air grows more humid, and the path undulates pleasantly through Funduras. You then reach sections where the trees gradually open and the terraces begin to appear. Waymarking is intuitive, but it’s still worth having an offline map on your phone. After rain, roots and wet stones can be tricky, so don’t expect a marathon pace here. The quiet is broken only by wind in the canopy and birdsong—often scented by laurel blossom in spring.

The second part of the loop leads from the upper slopes of Maroços along quiet country lanes and, at times, beside a levada toward Machico, where the return climb back to Portela begins. It’s smooth and not demanding, though the final push onto the ridge will remind you that you’ve covered some ground. The reward is wide-open views—sometimes inland, sometimes out to the ocean—and the sense of having walked through several faces of the island in just a few hours. Back at Portela, feel free to linger: the wind may gust, but the pre-sunset light makes for a perfect closing scene.

Set aside about 3–4.5 hours for the loop, depending on photo stops. The elevation gain comes in shorter, cumulative climbs. Regular sips of water and a small snack help. Expect humidity in the forest and wind along ridge sections, whether you arrive by car or by the Funchal–Porto da Cruz bus lines. Swapping long high ridges for a mix of forest, terraces, and levada makes this an ideal day out—big on experience, light on extremes.