PR 22 Vereda do Chão dos Louros

PR 22 Vereda do Chão dos Louros 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 1.9 km. The place named there is Chão dos Louros. The status on that table is: open. Route Summary: 1.9 km · 45 min – 1 h 00 min · +110 m / -110 m (830 m – 900 m) · Easy · Circular loop returns to car. Set inside the Chão dos Louros Forest Park (Parque Florestal do Chão dos Louros) on the northern slope of the ER 228 mountain road between the Encumeada pass and São Vicente, PR 22 is a short, circular woodland trail designed to showcase the native trees, shrubs, and ferns of Madeira's Laurissilva forest without long tunnel crossings or cliffside exposure.

Circular return logistics and parking at Chão dos Louros

Unlike point-to-point mountain traverses, PR 22 starts and finishes inside the Chão dos Louros forestry park, returning walkers directly to their parked vehicle after 1.9 km:

• Road access: Chão dos Louros sits directly alongside the old ER 228 mountain road climbing from Rosário (São Vicente) up to the Encumeada pass. Drivers coming from the south coast via Ribeira Brava pass through the Encumeada tunnel or cross the pass and descend a few minutes north to the park entrance.
• Parking and facilities: The forest park offers ample off-road parking bays, picnic tables, stone fireplaces, and shaded clearings among tall til and laurel trees.
• Combining with nearby routes: Because PR 22 is only 1.9 km and returns to the same car park, hikers frequently pair it with a visit to the Encumeada pass just upslope — where the open section of PR 1.3 Vereda da Encumeada (to Boca das Torrinhas) and PR 17 Caminho do Pináculo e Folhadal begin.

Trail character, viewpoints, and footing

The 1.9 km path winds on earthen forest tracks and rustic wooden/stone steps around the wooded hillside of Chão dos Louros:

• Laurel forest flora: Interpretive sections pass mature specimens of stinkwood (til), Madeira laurel (loureiro), lily-of-the-valley tree (folhado), and Madeira mahogany (vinhático).
• Valley viewpoints: Openings on the northern edge of the loop look down over the green agricultural amphitheatre of the São Vicente valley toward the Atlantic coast.
• Damp forest floor: Because Chão dos Louros sits in the northern cloud-condensation belt at around 800 m altitude, leaf litter, moss-covered stones, and earthen steps stay damp. Wear closed walking shoes with good tread and bring a light rain layer.

Before you go

Although the loop inside the Chão dos Louros forest park lies just off the ER 228 road above São Vicente, high-valley cloud often cools the laurel groves quickly, so pack a light layer alongside your trail footwear. 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.