PR 2 Vereda do Urzal

PR 2 Vereda do Urzal is on the IFCN classified-trail table updated on 2 October 2026 and read here on 12 October 2026. The official distance on that table is 10.3 km. The places named there are Curral das Freiras and Boaventura. The status on that table is: open. Route Summary: 10.3 km · 4 h 00 min – 4 h 45 min · +770 m / -960 m (640 m – 1,412 m – 450 m) · Hard (Mountain Pass Crossing) · Point-to-point transfer required. Tracing an ancient trans-island footpath used for centuries by residents carrying produce, timber, and livestock between the southern valleys and the north coast, PR 2 climbs out of the deep volcanic amphitheatre of Curral das Freiras (Fajã dos Cardos), crosses the high mountain pass near Boca das Torrinhas, and descends through dense Laurissilva forest into Lombo do Urzal in the northern parish of Boaventura.

Point-to-point transport across the island divide

PR 2 is a true cross-island mountain traverse linking Curral das Freiras (in Câmara de Lobos, south of the central ridge) with Boaventura (in São Vicente, on the north side of the island). Because the two trailheads sit in separate valleys on opposite sides of Madeira, a rental car left at one end requires a long drive around the island via Funchal or the Encumeada tunnel to retrieve:

• Best approach without a car: Take the regular urban/interurban bus from Funchal into Curral das Freiras (Fajã dos Cardos), walk the 10.3 km over the pass down to Lombo do Urzal in Boaventura, and continue or take a local taxi from Lombo do Urzal down to the Boaventura / São Vicente road for a northern bus or transfer.
• Direction of travel: Starting in Curral das Freiras (Fajã dos Cardos) tackles the steep climb up to the Boca das Torrinhas saddle in the morning and follows the long forest and levada descent into Boaventura in the afternoon. Starting in Boaventura reverses the profile with a long climb up from Lombo do Urzal.

Three terrain zones along the 10.3 km crossing

1. Southern ascent from Fajã dos Cardos (Curral das Freiras): A steep, steady climb on stone-pitched mountain steps winding up the northern wall of the Curral das Freiras cauldron.
2. High saddle near Boca das Torrinhas: At the top of the pass, PR 2 touches the high ridge where PR 1.3 Vereda da Encumeada runs west toward Encumeada (note that PR 1.3 east toward Pico Ruivo is listed closed on the 2 October 2026 table).
3. Northern descent into Lombo do Urzal (Boaventura): From the pass, the path drops steeply through shaded laurel forest and follows an old levada section down to the rural road end at Lombo do Urzal (where the unclassified Lombo do Urzal to Poço das Casas walk also begins).

Gear, weather, and before you go

Because you cross from the sunnier southern cauldron over an exposed mountain saddle into the humid northern cloud forest, pack warm windproof and waterproof layers, full water and food supplies, and sturdy boots with ankle support. 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.