Vereda do Urzal (PR 2): Curral das Freiras to Boaventura
Vereda do Urzal follows an old path from Curral das Freiras towards Madeira's north coast. The IFCN table gives 10.3 km to Boaventura. Entry costs €4.50 per person with an online booking through SIMplifica.
- 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
- 10.3 kmIFCN table, Curral das Freiras to Boaventura.
- Time on the board
- 4h 30mOne way, as printed on the panel at the start.
- Highest and lowest point
- 1,450 m and 519 m
- Start and finish
- Curral das Freiras to Lombo do UrzalFrom 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, leisure area, bus stop at Fajã dos Cardos
- Coordinates
- Start 32.74256, -16.96624
Finish 32.78217, -16.97858From 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 Curral das Freiras to Boaventura
The route board gives 10.3 km from Curral das Freiras to Lombo do Urzal. It allows 4 hours 30 minutes one way. Lombo do Urzal is in Boaventura.
Start at Fajã dos Cardos in Curral das Freiras. The path climbs to the junction at Boca das Torrinhas. It then descends towards Lombo do Urzal. Residents once used this path to travel between the south and north coasts.
Boca das Torrinhas looks across the Curral das Freiras valley and its surrounding peaks. Exotic vegetation near the start gives way to native vegetation. The route passes through high-altitude heathland and Laurisilva forest.
At the start and finish
At Fajã dos Cardos the board marks an information board and a leisure area. It also marks a bus stop. At Lombo do Urzal it marks an information board.
The taxi numbers printed on the route board are +351 291 942 144 and +351 291 862 330.
Weather and route status
Take warm clothing for weather that changes often. Wear non-slip footwear because the path may be slippery. The weather reading on this page comes from Pico do Areeiro station at 1,818 m.
Check the live status panel before setting off. Use ‘Check the status now’ for the latest available IFCN update. Weather warnings don't automatically close a route. IFCN's route status determines whether it is open.
Booking PR 2
Register on SIMplifica and book an entry slot online. You can't book or pay at IFCN offices. Same-day and next-day bookings are possible while places remain.
A slot closes when it reaches capacity. Allow for about 15 minutes of tolerance before or after your entry time. Free entry still requires registration and a booking.
Fees for more than one walk
Most classified routes cost €4.50 per person. PR 1 costs €10.50. For two or more routes, the day fee is €9. The three-day fee is €22.50. Seven days cost €52.50.
These passes never include PR 1. Book each route separately within the period. SIMplifica applies the cheapest option automatically.
What the route board asks
- Weather subject to frequent changes, take warm clothing.
- The path may be slippery so wear non-slip footwear.
From the IFCN board at the start of the route. Taxis listed on the board: Taxis +351 291 942 144 / +351 291 862 330.
Routes next door
Levada dos Cedros PR 14
open7.2 km, Fanal to Curral Falso
Vereda da Ribeira da Janela PR 15
open2.7 km, Curral Falso to Ribeira da Janela
Status from the IFCN table, re-read at every build and again in your browser.
Questions before you go
How long is Vereda do Urzal?
The IFCN table gives 10.3 km from Curral das Freiras to Boaventura. The board gives 10.3 km from Curral das Freiras to Lombo do Urzal. Its walking time is 4 hours 30 minutes one way.
Does PR 2 have uphill sections?
Yes. From Fajã dos Cardos the path climbs to Boca das Torrinhas. It then descends to Lombo do Urzal. The board gives a highest point of 1,450 m and a lowest point of 519 m.
Can I reach Pico Ruivo from this route?
The junction at Boca das Torrinhas connects with PR 1.3 Vereda da Encumeada towards Pico Ruivo. I'd check PR 1.3's current IFCN status if you're considering that connection. Book each classified route you plan to walk.
Who gets free entry to PR 2?
Children aged 12 or under go free. Madeira residents qualify with their resident card and citizen card. People with a disability of 60% or more enter free with one companion. Everyone still needs to register and book through SIMplifica.
Do I need a guide for Vereda do Urzal?
No. A guide isn't compulsory on PR 2. You still need an online entry booking through SIMplifica. Check the live route status before heading to Fajã dos Cardos. Take warm clothing and wear non-slip footwear.
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. 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 2 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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