PR17 Caminho do Pinaculo e Folhadal

Really 👌 nice I recomend

One of the better (and remarkably quiet) walks on Madeira. You have to be lucky with the weather. We walked in the clouds for a part of the route. But when it cleared later, the views were stunning.

The Caminho do Pináculo e Folhadal (PR17) is one of - if not the - most beautiful levadas/veredas on Madeira Island. It starts and finishes in Encumeada, and takes you to magnificent views over both the Saõ Vicente valley as well as the Ribeira Brava valley, and the mountain range in-between. You get to see O Pináculo, the famous rock, close by. You also get to walk through a gorgeous Laura Silva forest. Visit it on a beautiful clear day in early autumn, and see and smell the beautiful lily-of-the-valley-trees (clethra arborea) in flower. Unfortunately currently the section from Bica da Cana to Lombo do Mouro is currently under renovation, and officially closed. Currently it is in a very good condition, and easy to walk. However most days (probably not Sundays?) there are workers on the levada. Please do not disturb them! The section from Encumeada through Folhadal to Bica de Cana is open. You can return from Bica de Cana to Encumeada along ER110, but then you will miss out the most beautiful views as well as O Pináculo. There are several long tunnels. You have to have a good torch, and a helmet is useful. The climb from Casa do Caramujo up to Bica de Cana is quite steep. Total altitude difference if about 600m.

Super Trek

Nice easy walk. The tunnels are quite long, but the waterfalls that follow are definitely worth the effort. It is a busy route