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Vereda do Pico Grande

The path off PR 12 to the 1,654 m summit of Pico Grande

AI illustration of this part of the island, not a photograph of Vereda do Pico Grande
AI illustration of this part of the island, not a photograph of Vereda do Pico Grande

The place

Pico Grande is a 1,654 m summit in the island's central mountains, and the route to it leaves the Caminho Real da Encumeada, PR 12, at Boca do Cerro, at the foot of the peak. PR 12 itself is a 12.5 km one-way track from the Boca da Corrida viewpoint to the Encumeada roadside, running between about 830 m and 1,323 m.

The final approach is a rocky scramble with cable assistance, and the exposure is real: vertigo and the risk of falls are serious concerns, and wet paths are treacherous. Several routes reach the peak, starting from Boca da Encumeada, Boca da Corrida, the Pico do Jorge ridge or Curral das Freiras. Plan for about five hours on PR 12, then roughly another hour for the detour to the summit.

Highlights

  1. A rocky scramble with cable assistance takes you from Boca do Cerro to the 1,654 m summit.
  2. A central-ridge loop of about 9 km returns to Encumeada for walkers who want a full circuit.
  3. The PR 12 walk starts at the Boca da Corrida viewpoint and finishes at a roadside snack bar at Encumeada.

When to come

Choose a dry day and start early, since wet paths are treacherous on the summit approach and the one-way walk takes about five hours.

Getting there

Start at the Boca da Corrida viewpoint, reached by road uphill from Estreito de Câmara de Lobos, and finish at the roadside snack bar at Encumeada on E.R. 228, so arrange transport for the Encumeada end.

Worth knowing

  • Book on SIMplifica before you walk: booking is required for every PR trail from 1 January 2026, whether you walk alone or in a group, and the individual fee is EUR 4.50 in 2026.
  • Madeira residents are exempt, and a daily bundle at EUR 9.00 in 2026 covers two or more trails, not counting PR 1.
  • Visit Madeira lists PR 12 as restricted, with access only from Boca da Corrida to about kilometre 3.5, so confirm the current access before you plan the summit.
  • The trail itself is rated moderate, but some of the routes up the peak are demanding.
  • The summit approach is exposed, with vertigo and falls to watch for, so it suits walkers who are comfortable with heights.
  • Wet paths are treacherous, so wait for dry conditions and wear boots with good grip.
  • The trail runs between about 830 m and 1,323 m, so bring a warm layer for the higher sections.

Nearby

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