Caminho do Pináculo e Folhadal (PR 17)
PR 17 crosses Laurisilva forest from Lombo do Mouro to Encumeada via Caramujo and Folhadal. The IFCN table gives 15 km for this route. Entry costs €4.50 per person, booked online through SIMplifica.
- Status
- OpenOpen, and the table adds that the passable part runs between Encumeada, Folhadal, Caramujo and Bica da Cana. 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
- 15 kmIFCN table, Lombo do Mouro to Caramujo to Folhadal to Encumeada.
- Time on the board
- 6h 30One way, as printed on the panel at the start.
- Highest and lowest point
- 1,490 m and 970 m
- Start and finish
- Lombo do Mouro to EncumeadaFrom 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
- information board at Lombo do Mouro
- Coordinates
- Start 32.75422, -17.01937
Finish 32.7427, -17.04475From the IFCN route board, decimal degrees - Weather now
- 18.8 °C at Pico do Areeiro, 1,818 mThe IPMA station we show for this route, 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 Lombo do Mouro to Encumeada
The route board also gives 15 km from Lombo do Mouro to Encumeada. It allows 6 hours 30 minutes one way. The start is on the ER105 towards Paul da Serra. The route passes Bica da Cana and Casa do Caramujo.
You pass the Levada da Serra and Levada do Norte. The route crosses Laurisilva forest with UNESCO World Natural Heritage status. There are views over the Ribeira Brava and São Vicente valleys. A stone-paved municipal path forms part of the old link between north and south.
Check the section you can walk
Use the live status panel on this page before setting off. Read the full access note alongside the status label. If you're planning to start at Lombo do Mouro, I'd check that note before booking.
Check neighbouring routes separately if you plan to continue from Encumeada. PR 1.3 leads towards Pico Ruivo. Its own access status decides which section you can use. A weather warning does not automatically close a route. IFCN's route status decides.
Prepare for tunnels and changing weather
This long-distance path requires physical preparation. Its altitude ranges from 970 m to 1,490 m. Carry a torch for the tunnels. Wear non-slip footwear because the path may be slippery.
Take warm clothing and a waterproof coat. The weather changes frequently here. The weather panel shows readings from Pico do Areeiro at 1,818 m. Keep that station location in mind when checking conditions for your walk.
Book your entry on SIMplifica
Register and book online through SIMplifica. You cannot book or pay at IFCN offices. Choose an entry slot with space available. Same-day and next-day bookings are possible while places remain. There is about 15 minutes of tolerance either side of your slot.
Children aged 12 or under enter free. Madeira residents need their resident card and citizen card for free entry. People with a disability of 60% or more enter free with one companion. Everyone still needs registration and a booking.
What the facility icons mark
At Lombo do Mouro the board marks an information board. At Encumeada it marks an information board and parking. A viewpoint is marked too. There are also symbols for a restaurant and a bus stop. These symbols do not establish opening hours or service availability.
The taxi contacts on the board are Taxis Ribeira Brava on +351 291 952 349 and Taxis São Vicente on +351 291 842 238. Contact them directly if you need a taxi.
What the route board asks
- Due to the fact that this is a long-distance footpath hikers are required to have some physical preparation.
- Weather subject to frequent changes, take warm clothing and waterproof coat.
- Carry a torch, there are tunnels along way.
- The path may be slippery so wear anti-slip footwear.
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
Caminho Real da Encumeada PR 12
partly open12.5 km, Boca da Corrida to Encumeada
Caminho do Norte PR 21
open3.2 km, Encumeada - Ribeira Grande
Status from the IFCN table, re-read at every build and again in your browser.
Questions before you go
How long does PR 17 take?
The board allows 6 hours 30 minutes one way for its 15 km route from Lombo do Mouro to Encumeada. Keep that finish in mind when planning your day. Check the live access note before setting off.
Do I need a guide?
No. A guide is optional on PR 17. You still need an online entry booking through SIMplifica. The physical preparation requirement applies to this long-distance walk. Take a torch for the tunnels and wear non-slip footwear.
Can I book several routes together?
Yes. For two or more routes the day fee is €9 per person. Three days cost €22.50 per person. Seven days cost €52.50 per person. These fees never include PR 1. Each route needs its own booking. SIMplifica automatically applies the cheapest option.
Does the €4.50 fee apply to every classified route?
Most classified routes cost €4.50 per person, including PR 17. The full PR 1 route costs €10.50 per person. PR 1 is excluded from the day fee and both longer passes. Book each route online through SIMplifica.
Can I get a refund if it rains?
Rain alone does not qualify. Refunds or rescheduling apply only when IFCN closes or restricts the route. Email IFCN within 10 working days with your request. Illness or a change of mind also 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 17 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.
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