Glaciar de Planalto (PR 27): Bica da Cana to ER 105
Glaciar de Planalto follows traces of an ancient glacier on Paul da Serra. PR 27 covers 4.6 km from Bica da Cana to ER 105. Entry costs €4.50 per person with an online booking through SIMplifica.
- Status
- ClosedClosed. 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
- 4.6 kmIFCN table, Bica da Cana to ER 105.
- Time on the board
- 1h 30mOne way, as printed on the panel at the start.
- Highest and lowest point
- 1,588 m and 1,457 m
- Start and finish
- Bica da Cana to ER 105From 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
- shelter, toilets, leisure area, information board, parking, camping zone, barbecue area, trash at Bica da Cana
- Coordinates
- Finish 32.77972, -16.89722From 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
The IFCN table lists this route as closed. What follows describes the walk and the booking rules for when it opens again.
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 Bica da Cana to ER 105
The IFCN table and route board agree on the distance and endpoints. The board allows 1 hour 30 minutes one way. The highest point is 1,588 m. The lowest is 1,457 m.
At Bica da Cana the board marks shelter and toilets. It also marks an information board and a leisure area. Parking and a camping zone have symbols too. These are facility markings on the board.
The glacier landscape
The walk begins in a wide valley with a rounded U-shaped profile. Look for the circular hollow formed by glacial erosion. The ice field on Paul da Serra reached its peak about 25,000 years ago.
The path climbs to Fonte do Juncal, an eroded volcanic cone. From the top you can look across the plateau. Rabaças viewpoint is on the descent. It overlooks the Ponta do Sol river headwaters and basalt blocks displaced by the glacier.
Near the end is the glacial cirque at Fajã Redonda in Sítio das Pedras. There are also ruined corrals once used for traditional sheep shearing.
Fog and changing weather
Take warm clothing for weather that changes often. Fog is frequent here and can make you lose your bearings. Stay on the trail.
The weather panel shows readings from Pico do Areeiro at 1,818 m. I'd check the live status panel before planning your day around PR 27. Use its 'Check the status now' button before setting off.
Booking Glaciar de Planalto
Register on SIMplifica to book your entry slot online. You cannot book or pay at IFCN offices. There's about 15 minutes of tolerance either side of your slot.
Children aged 12 or under go free. Madeira residents go free with their resident card and citizen card. People with a disability of 60% or more enter free with one companion. Everyone still needs a booking.
Fees for more than one route
Most classified routes cost €4.50 per person. PR 1 costs €10.50. For two or more routes the day fee is €9.00. The three-day fee is €22.50. Seven days cost €52.50.
The day, three-day and seven-day fees never include PR 1. Each route needs its own booking. SIMplifica applies the cheapest option automatically.
What the route board asks
- Weather is subject to frequent changes, take warm clothing; weather in this area is frequently foggy which may cause disorientation problems so, do not leave the trail.
From the IFCN board at the start of the route. Taxis listed on the board: Taxis Ponta do Sol +351 291 972 110.
Questions before you go
How long is the Glaciar de Planalto walk?
PR 27 is 4.6 km from Bica da Cana to ER 105. The table and board give the same route. The board allows 1 hour 30 minutes one way. Use that timing for the walk between those endpoints.
Why is it called Glaciar de Planalto?
The name refers to an ancient plateau glacier on Paul da Serra. Its traces include the U-shaped valley near the start and a circular erosion basin. Further along are basalt blocks moved towards the plateau's edge by the ice.
Is PR 27 open?
Look at the live status panel on this page before travelling. Use 'Check the status now' to refresh it. IFCN's route status determines access. A weather warning does not automatically close a classified route.
Can I book PR 27 on the day?
Same-day and next-day bookings are possible while places remain. Book online through SIMplifica after checking the route status. A slot closes automatically when it reaches capacity. Free entry also requires registration and a booking.
Do I need a guide for PR 27?
A guide is optional on PR 27. You still need an entry booking to walk independently. Take warm clothing for frequent weather changes. Keep to the trail because fog can make it difficult to find your way.
Can I get a refund if it rains?
Rain alone does not qualify for a refund. Refunds or rescheduling apply only when IFCN closes or restricts the route. Email IFCN within 10 working days. A change of mind or illness 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 27 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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