Trail describtion:
This is a beautiful full-day trail that won’t give you anything for free. Right from the start, you’ll be asking yourself if it’s worth it. The beginning is actually the toughest part, when you’re full of energy but have to climb countless stairs. They’re nicely wide but they go straight uphill. Once you reach the top though, the trail reveals all its beauty in full glory. From then on, you just admire the views, take photos, and enjoy the stunning scenery of surrounding hills, rocks, and valleys.
That’s what PR 1.3 is like. Once you branch off from it, you’ll walk through a valley, cross over a mountain pass, and climb almost to the top of Grande peak. Those who have extra energy can still make the final push to the summit. The rest of the way is just relaxed hiking – you slowly descend and look forward to the local restaurant at both the finish and starting point of the route.
Trail characteristics:
Trail is subjectively rated as Difficult.
The length of the trail is 17.2 km (10.6 miles) and journey will take you around 09:10 hours. The elevation on the trail is 1081 m. The highest point on the trail is 1591 m and the lowest 815 m.
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Explore PR1.3 Vereda da Encumeada – Verada dos Currais – PR12 Caminho Real da Encumeada through photos
Personal hike notes
This hike starts at nearly 3,280 feet above sea level at Snack Bar Restaurante Boca Da Encumeada – and that alone tells you one thing: be prepared for changing weather. Mornings can be chilly here, and fog is not uncommon. It’s best to start as early as possible since you have a good stretch of trail ahead. You could manage it in 6 hours without breaks, but let’s be honest – who wouldn’t want to rest and take in the views along the way? Plan for breaks and set aside the whole day.
Even though you’re starting “on the mountain,” right from the beginning you’ll face climbing and a long series of stairs. The path is nicely maintained and wide though – no balancing on edges. As soon as you get higher up, the trail starts to narrow and transitions into true Madeiran wilderness. And that’s where it really starts getting beautiful.
The route follows a ridge that opens up panoramic views on both sides of the island. Sometimes all the way to the ocean – if you’re lucky. But even if fog surrounds you on one side, the other side often stays completely clear. The effect of having “one foot in heaven, one foot in milk” is more common than you’d think. You’ll encounter more stairs along the way, but sometimes it feels more like scrambling over rocks than a regular hike. Nothing extreme, but it’s good to be prepared – both physically and mentally.
The moment you branch off from PR 1.3 onto Vereda dos Currais (nicknamed the Royal Path), the landscape changes a bit. The mountains remain, but the terrain becomes gentler. Thanks to the high altitude, you won’t find tall forests here – which means the views open up even more and the air smells like freedom.
On the return journey, you’ll connect to PR12, which mostly leads you downhill. After what you’ve already accomplished, it feels like a pleasant relief. Just before the end, you’ll still have one more small climb back to Boca Da Encumeada, where we recommend leaving your car if you’re driving.
Shortly before the finish, we were surprised by hydroelectric plant construction – apparently it should be completed by now. We got through fine, but we encountered locked gates that we had to climb over. Nothing dangerous, just unexpected. We didn’t see any “no entry” signs anywhere, so we continued on.
This route is perfect for those who aren’t afraid of elevation gain, have some hiking experience under their belt, and want to experience one of the most breathtaking ridge crossings on Madeira. Just bring good boots, plenty of water, snacks, and a rain jacket because the weather here can surprise you. And most importantly, don’t forget your sense of adventure.
Weather on start
Trail details
Hike Videos
Comments and photos from those who have completed this trail
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