PR 3.1 - Caminho Real do Monte

The “Ribeira das Cales-Monte” route links the natural mountain environment of the Parque Ecológico do Funchal with the historic centre of the freguesia do Monte, which showcases interesting built heritage.
The route begins next to the reception centre of the Parque Ecológico do Funchal, crosses the Ribeira das Cales and an old municipal channel of Funchal, the levada das Cales dating from 1784. Still in this initial section, the area around the Casa da Ribeira das Cales and the surrounding woodlands allow observation of a highly diverse mix of native and exotic vegetation and the bird species most common to this habitat.
Still within the park area, the itinerary passes the Viveiro de Plantas da Ribeira das Cales and the Pico Alto viewpoint (1,129 metres altitude). From this elevation it is possible to take in one of the most comprehensive panoramas over the concelho do Funchal.
Between Arrebentão and Lajinhas, the path follows the caminho real nº 24, once used to access the mountain ranges of Monte and for connections with the concelho de Santana.
At Terreiro da Luta, two buildings stand out: the Quinta do Terreiro da Luta, and on a short detour from the itinerary, the monument to Nossa Senhora da Paz.
From Lajinhas, the built heritage that characterises the history of the Freguesia do Monte takes centre stage with the main church, some old quintas and the Jardins do Monte.
Exploring the historic centre of Monte is completed by the option to visit Jardim Tropical Monte Palace and Largo dos Babosos, with the cask carriage rides and the two cable car routes offering options to continue discovering the charms of the concelho do Funchal.