Vereda do Chão dos Louros (PR 22): the forest circuit
Vereda do Chão dos Louros is a circular walk through Madeira's laurel forest. The IFCN table lists 1.9 km at Chão dos Louros. Entry costs €4.50 per person unless you qualify for free entry.
- 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
- 1.9 kmIFCN table, Chão dos Louros.
- Time on the board
- 0h 45One way, as printed on the panel at the start.
- Highest and lowest point
- 890 m and 830 m
- Start and finish
- Chão dos Louros to Chão dos LourosFrom 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 Chão dos Louros
- 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.
Walking the Chão dos Louros circuit
The route board gives 1.9 km from Chão dos Louros back to Chão dos Louros. Allow 45 minutes as shown on the board. You can join this circular trail at several points around the forest park.
The path runs through laurel forest recognised by UNESCO as World Natural Heritage. Laurel and til grow here. The area around the forest park also belongs to Natura 2000. This is the European Union's network of protected areas.
The connection to Caminho do Norte
A connection with PR 21 Caminho do Norte gives access to Ribeira Grande. A nearby viewpoint looks over the São Vicente valley. Check PR 21's own status if you plan to take that route too.
Chão dos Louros also has a place in a local pilgrimage tradition. Pilgrims stop here on their return from the Senhor Bom Jesus feast in Ponta Delgada. The feast falls on the first Sunday of September.
Weather and route status
Take warm clothing. Weather changes frequently here. The route's highest point is 890 m and its lowest is 830 m. The weather panel shows readings from Pico do Areeiro at 1,818 m. Keep that station's location in mind when checking the weather for your walk.
Look at the live status panel on this page before setting out. Use its status check button for an update. A weather warning does not automatically close a classified route. IFCN's route status decides whether you can walk.
Booking PR 22
Book online through SIMplifica. Registration is required. You cannot book or pay at IFCN offices. Same-day and next-day bookings are possible while places remain. Each entry slot closes when full. Aim to arrive within about 15 minutes of your booked time.
Most classified routes cost €4.50 per person. PR 1 costs €10.50. For two or more routes, the day fee is €9.00. Three days cost €22.50. Seven days cost €52.50. These passes exclude PR 1. Each route needs its own booking. SIMplifica applies the cheapest option automatically.
Starting at Chão dos Louros
The facility icons mark an information board at Chão dos Louros at both ends of the circuit. Treat the icons as a guide to what is marked. They don't tell you whether a facility is open.
A guide isn't compulsory on PR 22. If you're walking independently, I'd begin by reading the information board at Chão dos Louros. It gives the circuit's details and the warning about changeable weather.
What the route board asks
- Weather subject to frequent changes, take warm clothing.
From the IFCN board at the start of the route. Taxis listed on the board: São Vicente taxis +351 291 842 238.
Questions before you go
How long is Vereda do Chão dos Louros?
The IFCN table lists 1.9 km at Chão dos Louros. The route board also gives 1.9 km for the circuit starting and finishing at Chão dos Louros. It allows 45 minutes. You can join the trail at several points.
Is PR 22 open today?
Check the live status panel on this page before you leave. Use the status check button to request an update from IFCN. A weather warning does not automatically close the route. The IFCN route status decides.
Who gets free entry to PR 22?
Children aged 12 or under enter free. Madeira residents qualify with their resident card and citizen card. People with a disability of 60% or more also enter free with one companion. Everyone still needs to register and book online through SIMplifica.
Is PR 22 an out-and-back walk?
PR 22 is circular. Its named start and finish are both Chão dos Louros. The board describes several possible starting points around the circuit. There is also a connection with PR 21 Caminho do Norte towards Ribeira Grande.
Can I get a refund if it rains?
Rain alone doesn't qualify for a refund. Rescheduling or a refund is possible 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. A missed flight does too.
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 22 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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