Trails
Vereda do Jardim do Mar (PR20)
About 500 m down from Prazeres to the coast at Jardim do Mar
The place
Vereda do Jardim do Mar is the official PR20, a one-way route of 1.9 km from the parish of Prazeres down to Largo da Igreja, the church square of the coastal parish of Jardim do Mar, in Calheta. IFCN gives it about 1 hour 30 minutes. Heights range from 530 m to 35 m, a drop of about 500 m. IFCN listed the route as closed on 4 November 2026, with no reason or reopening date given.
For the people of Prazeres this was once one of the few ways down to the coast. Jardim do Mar, the garden of the sea, sits on a fajã, flat land at the foot of high cliffs, and its mild climate and plentiful water made it a farming place early on: the path threads between poios, terraces held up by stone walls. The panel suggests taking the descent slowly for the views over the fajãs of Jardim do Mar and Paul do Mar, with two viewpoints and two picnic areas on the way. Just before the village stands a water mill that once ground the parish's cereals.
Highlights
- On the way down the path looks over the fajãs of Jardim do Mar and Paul do Mar.
- The path threads between poios, farm terraces held up by stone walls.
- A water mill just before the village once ground cereals grown in and around the parish.
- Visit Madeira recommends the Jardim do Mar viewpoint, at the entrance to the parish and close to the mill, to walkers on this route.
When to come
Once IFCN reopens it, a dry day, as the path can be slippery; the panel suggests taking the descent slowly to enjoy the views over the fajãs.
Getting there
The route starts in Prazeres, where PR19 Caminho Real do Paul do Mar also begins, and ends at Largo da Igreja in Jardim do Mar, where the panel shows parking, a café, a restaurant and a beach area. It is one way and downhill, so arrange a lift or a taxi between the two ends: Táxis Calheta, +351 291 827 486.
Worth knowing
- Status: listed as closed by IFCN on 4 November 2026; check that it has reopened before you go.
- Booking and fee: pay through SIMplifica; €4.50 in 2026 for visitors over 12, with children 12 and under exempt.
- Distance and time: 1.9 km one way, about 1 hour 30 minutes, with a descent of about 500 m.
- Heights: between 35 m and 530 m.
- Difficulty: easy, as Visit Madeira and Ocean Trails rate it.
- Caution: the path can be slippery, so wear shoes with non-slip soles.
