PR 12 Caminho Real da Encumeada

PR 12 Caminho Real da Encumeada is on the IFCN classified-trail table updated on 2 October 2026 and read here on 12 October 2026. The official full length on that table is 12.5 km between Boca da Corrida and Encumeada. However, the status on the 2 October 2026 table is partly open:

• Boca da Corrida to kilometre 3.5: Listed open in both directions.
• Kilometre 3.5 to Encumeada: Listed closed.

Route Summary: 12.5 km · 4 h 30 min – 5 h 30 min · +450 m / -660 m (1,220 m – 1,320 m – 1,007 m) · Moderate–Hard · Turnaround at km 3.5 returns to car. on PR 12 Caminho Real da Encumeada, only the 3.5 km eastern reach from Boca da Corrida is open.

What the kilometre 3.5 closure means for your walk

Historically, PR 12 followed the old paved royal road (Caminho Real) contouring around the upper bowl of Curral das Freiras and the southern flanks of Pico Grande and Pico Ruivo all the way to the Encumeada pass. Under the 2 October 2026 IFCN table, you cannot walk through to Encumeada on PR 12, and you cannot start PR 12 from the Encumeada car park:

• Only Boca da Corrida is an active starting car park for PR 12: You start at the Miradouro da Boca da Corrida viewpoint above Jardim da Serra, walk up to 3.5 km along the open eastern section toward the Curral das Freiras headwall, and turn back at the km 3.5 barrier to return to your car at Boca da Corrida (up to 7 km round trip).
• No transfer needed: Because the onward section to Encumeada is closed, PR 12 currently operates strictly as an out-and-back walk returning to Boca da Corrida.
• Unclassified Pico Grande spur: Walkers sometimes use the first section of PR 12 from Boca da Corrida to reach the unclassified climb up Pico Grande from Boca da Corrida, which sits on the unknown trails index and is not maintained as part of the IFCN classified network.

Road approach and parking at Boca da Corrida

Boca da Corrida sits at the top of a steep, winding mountain road climbing north from Estreito de Câmara de Lobos and Jardim da Serra:

• By car: Follow the municipal road up through the cherry and chestnut orchards of Jardim da Serra past the Corticeiras area to the road-end turnaround at Miradouro da Boca da Corrida. The final kilometres are steep and narrow; use low gears on the descent.
• Parking: A paved parking area sits right at the viewpoint overlooking the deep volcanic cauldron of Curral das Freiras.
• Public transport: Buses serve Jardim da Serra below, leaving a steep road climb to the viewpoint, so most walkers arrive by rental car or taxi from Câmara de Lobos or Funchal.

Terrain, exposure, and before you go

The open 3.5 km section from Boca da Corrida follows a classic stone-paved mountain footpath cut into the high walls above Curral das Freiras, offering sweeping views across to Pico do Areeiro and the central ridge. The path is exposed to sun and valley updraughts; wear sturdy hiking shoes, carry water for the full return walk (there are no refill taps on the ridge), and bring a windproof layer. The IFCN fee FAQ lists €4.50 per person for one classified route other than PR 1. Residents of the region, children aged 12 or under, and covered disability cases do not pay the fee and still need a reservation; see PR trail fees and reservation rules on Madeira. This site does not publish a live forecast. Source: Percursos pedestres classificados, table updated 2 October 2026, read here on 12 October 2026. The fee figures are from the IFCN fee FAQ.