PR 1.3 - Vereda da Encumeada

The trail begins at the shelter house of Pico Ruivo and is designed along the backbone of the island, allowing hikers to cross the central mountain range of Madeira island. Characterized by frequent ascents and descents, the route unfolds between 1764 and 1009 meters of altitude, heading towards Encumeada. This trail offers landscapes of extreme beauty, allowing hikers to traverse two types of ecosystems included in the Natura 2000 Network: the Central Mountain Massif and the Laurisilva Forest. As you walk the trail, the scenery will transition from the island's volcanic escarpments, characteristic of the phytoclimatic zones above 1400m (high-altitude heathland), to the surrounding landscapes covered with species characteristic of the Laurisilva Forest - classified as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site since December 1999, such as Tis (Ocotea foetens), Loureiros (Laurus novacanariensis), Folhados (Clethra arborea), Sanhuinhos (Rhamnus glandulosa), Massarocos (Echium candicans), the very rare Mountain Orchids (Dactylorhiza foliosa) and Estreleiras (Argyranthemum pinnatifidum). Along the trail you will find various caves carved into the rocks where, in the past, men who passed through would shelter, with the main mission of cutting heather (Erica scoparia ssp maderensis and Erica arborea) for stakes, firewood or for charcoal production. At Boca das Torrinhas, the route crosses with PR 2 Vereda do Urzal, which connects Curral das Freiras to Boaventura. As you approach Encumeada, the sensation of being in the middle of the island increases, as you will encounter the magnificent landscapes of Serra d'Água to the south and the valleys of São Vicente to the north.