Caminho do Norte (PR 21): Encumeada to Ribeira Grande
Caminho do Norte (PR 21) is a 3.2 km walk from Encumeada to Ribeira Grande. It follows an old footpath through Laurisilva forest. Entry costs €4.50 per person with an online booking.
- Status
- OpenOpen. IFCN table dated 14 September 2026 · checked by islandmadeira.com 24 September 2026 at 21:19, Madeira time.Fetch the current trail status from the IFCN page; one live request per 30 minutes for the whole site, otherwise the last check is shown.
- Length
- 3.2 kmIFCN table, Encumeada to Ribeira Grande.
- Time on the board
- 1h 30One way, as printed on the panel at the start.
- Highest and lowest point
- 1,000 m and 320 m
- Start and finish
- Encumeada to Ribeira GrandeFrom the route board at the start.
- Fee
- €4.50 per person, booked onlineBooking on the SIMplifica portal, fees as of 2 June 2026. Free for children aged 12 or under, for Madeira residents with their resident card and citizen card, and for anyone with a disability of 60% or more plus one companion. All of them still need a booking.
- At the start
- bus stop, parking, viewpoint, toilets, information board at Encumeada
- Coordinates
- Start 32.75451, -17.01892
Finish 32.7744, -17.02372From the IFCN route board, decimal degrees - Weather now
- 24.7 °C at Santana, 380 m
18.8 °C at Pico do Areeiro, 1,818 mThe two IPMA stations we show for this route, the nearest one and the island’s mountain station, observed 24 September 2026 at 20:00, Madeira time
Warnings come from IPMA by zone, not by trail. A yellow warning for fog, wind or thunderstorms is a reason to check the route status and the sky before you set off, and the forest service closes paths on its own schedule. Station readings.
From Encumeada to Ribeira Grande
The route board allows 1 hour 30 minutes one way. You start at Boca Encumeada at 1,000 m. The finish is at Ribeira Grande at 320 m in the municipality of São Vicente.
The path once linked villages on Madeira's north and south coasts. Local people used it to travel and trade during traditional festivals. I'd choose this walk if that history interests you. The route follows traces of their old footpath.
Forest and willows along the route
PR 21 passes through Laurisilva forest. Beyond the regional road ER228 you enter a transition forest with introduced tree species.
Willows are grown at Ribeira Grande for wickerwork. Their branches supply material for traditional baskets and furniture. They also go into making Monte's toboggans.
What to bring for PR 21
Take warm clothing. The board warns of frequent weather changes. Wear footwear with a non-slip sole and carry water. The path may be slippery.
The weather panel shows the Santana station at 380 m and Pico do Areeiro at 1,818 m. Keep that location in mind when reading it. PR 21 starts at 1,000 m. Check the route status panel before you leave too.
Facilities marked at each end
At Encumeada the board marks a bus stop and parking. It also marks a viewpoint and toilets, plus an information board.
At Ribeira Grande it marks parking and an information board. The symbols do not give opening hours. They do not guarantee that a marked facility will be open when you arrive.
Booking Caminho do Norte
Book online through the SIMplifica portal. Registration is required. There are no bookings or payments at IFCN offices. Choose an entry slot with space available. Same-day and next-day bookings are possible while places remain.
Allow for your booked time when planning the day. There is about 15 minutes of tolerance before or after your slot. A slot closes automatically once full. Free entry still needs a booking.
What the route board asks
- Weather subject to frequent changes, take warm clothing.
- The path may be slippery so wear non- slip footwear and carry water.
From the IFCN board at the start of the route. Taxis listed on the board: Taxis Ribeira Brava +351 291 952 349; Taxis São Vicente +351 291 842 238.
Routes next door
Vereda da Encumeada PR 1.3
partly open11.2 km, Pico Ruivo to Encumeada
Vereda do Burro PR 3
open6.7 km, Pico do Areeiro to Ribeira das Cales
Caminho Real do Monte PR 3.1
open5.5 km, Ribeira das Cales to Monte
Status from the IFCN table, re-read at every build and again in your browser.
Questions before you go
How long is Caminho do Norte?
The IFCN table gives 3.2 km from Encumeada to Ribeira Grande. The board gives the same distance and endpoints. Its walking time is 1 hour 30 minutes one way. That time does not include a return walk.
Is PR 21 open?
Look at the live status panel on this page before setting out. Use its status check for the latest IFCN information. Weather warnings do not close routes automatically. IFCN's route status decides whether you can walk.
Who can walk PR 21 for free?
Children aged 12 or under go free. Madeira residents need their resident card and citizen card. People with a disability of 60% or more also qualify with one companion. Everyone still needs registration and a booking on SIMplifica.
Can I book several routes under one fee?
Yes. For two or more routes, the day fee is €9 per person. Three days cost €22.50 and seven days cost €52.50. These fees never include PR 1, which costs €10.50 for the full route. Book each route separately. SIMplifica applies the cheapest option automatically.
Do I need a guide for Caminho do Norte?
No. A guide is not compulsory on classified routes. You can walk PR 21 independently with your SIMplifica booking. The entry fee is €4.50 per person unless you qualify for free entry or a fee covering several routes.
Can I get a refund if it rains?
Rain alone does not qualify. Rescheduling or a refund applies only when IFCN closes or restricts the route. Email IFCN within 10 working days to request it. A change of mind or illness means losing the fee. So does a missed flight.
Sources
- IFCN, table of classified routes: status and length. IFCN table dated · checked by islandmadeira.com ; re-read every few hours.
- IFCN, route board PR 21 at the start of the route: distance, time, heights, description and cautions, read 20 September 2026.
- IFCN, fees and bookings FAQ, updated 2 June 2026, read 14 September 2026.
Who checked this
Roman Antonov, editor. The status comes from the forest service table, the figures from the board at the start of the route and the fee rules from the IFCN FAQ, each with its date above. If something on the ground has changed, tell me.
Tour links go to Viator, where we may earn a commission at no cost to you. It does not change which walks are listed. How we earn.