Trails
Vereda do Chão dos Louros (PR22)
A 45-minute loop through the laurel wood of Chão dos Louros
The place
Vereda do Chão dos Louros is the official PR22, a loop of 1.9 km around the Chão dos Louros forest park, beside the road from the Encumeada pass down to São Vicente. IFCN gives it about 45 minutes, and because it is a circuit it can be joined at several points. Heights stay between 830 m and 890 m.
The park lies in the Natura 2000 network, and the path runs through laurissilva, the laurel forest UNESCO listed in 1999. Most of the trees belong to the laurel family: the Madeira laurel, the til and the vinhático, and the madre-de-louro, a fungus, grows on the laurels. A natural viewpoint on the loop looks over the São Vicente valley, and a link from the circuit joins the PR21 Caminho do Norte towards Ribeira Grande. By tradition, pilgrims returning from the Senhor Bom Jesus festival in Ponta Delgada, on the first Sunday of September, stop at Chão dos Louros to rest and eat.
Highlights
- Laurissilva of laurel, til and vinhático trees on a short loop.
- A natural viewpoint over the São Vicente valley.
- The forest park, with tables and room to rest.
- A link to the PR21 Caminho do Norte towards Ribeira Grande.
When to come
Any day, including cloudy ones when the high walks are out; the first Sunday of September brings the pilgrims of the Senhor Bom Jesus festival.
Getting there
Chão dos Louros is on the road between the Encumeada pass and São Vicente, with parking at the forest park, where the loop starts and ends.
Worth knowing
- Booking and fee: pay through SIMplifica; €4.50 in 2026 for visitors over 12, with children 12 and under exempt.
- Distance and time: a 1.9 km loop, about 45 minutes.
- Difficulty: easy, between 830 m and 890 m.
- Facilities: parking, toilets and a forest guard post at the park.
- Caution: IFCN warns that the weather changes often here, so bring a warm layer.
- Status: open on the IFCN list on 3 November 2026; check IFCN or SIMplifica before you go.
