PR12 Madeira: current Caminho Real da Encumeada restriction

PR12 Madeira, Caminho Real da Encumeada, is currently restricted. Only the section from Boca da Corrida to kilometre 3.5 was listed as accessible when checked on 14 August 2026. Do not plan the full traverse to Encumeada while that restriction remains.

The current status

The official PR12 route page states:

“This route is accessible between Boca da Corrida and kilometre 3.5.”

The accessible section starts at Boca da Corrida and ends at kilometre 3.5. Turn around at the current barrier or signed endpoint.

The rest of the historic point-to-point route is not part of the approved walk while the restriction remains. Do not approach from another end in an attempt to bypass it.

The complete route is officially 12.5km, moderate, and runs between 830m and 1,323m. Those full-route figures do not describe the currently approved out-and-back. Use the barrier at kilometre 3.5 as the endpoint and leave time to return along the same section.

All classified routes require a prior SIMplifica reservation. Confirm that the accessible PR12 section is available for the chosen entry time before travelling.

When the route is fully open

The complete route begins at Boca da Corrida and ends by ER 228 at Encumeada. The tourism board describes it as an old cobbled Royal Path that was once an important regional crossing. It passes around Pico Grande and offers views toward Curral das Freiras, Serra d’Água, and Encumeada.

Treat those details as context, not a current itinerary. Wait for the official page to show the whole route open before planning end-to-end transport.

Where it starts (Boca da Corrida, not Encumeada)

The official start of the currently accessible section is Boca da Corrida Viewpoint. Follow current road signs and parking restrictions, and do not block resident, bus, or emergency access.

The ER 228 at Encumeada is the end of the complete route, not the start of the approved 3.5km section described by the current restriction.

What you see

The official route description highlights the old cobbled path, the mountain watercourses and Laurissilva, and views toward Curral das Freiras. That village sheltered nuns from the Santa Clara Convent during the 1566 pirate attack on Funchal.

On the accessible section, expect a mountain path rather than a level viewpoint walk. Weather and surface conditions can change quickly, so carry suitable layers, water, and footwear with grip.

How to check before driving up

Use the IFCN trail status page and check it on the morning of the hike:

visitmadeira.com/en/what-to-do/nature-seekers/activities/hiking

Open PR12 from the index and read the restriction note. If the page still limits access to kilometre 3.5, use only that section. If the status changes, read all current access conditions before planning transport; an “Open” label alone does not settle reservations, weather, or a linear return.

Permit booking is separate from the status check. When the route or an approved stretch is open, reserve through the official SIMplifica service and follow the 2026 permits guide.

Alternatives if it’s closed (or you want something different)

PR2 Vereda do Urzal is a possible alternative only when its own IFCN status, transport, and weather are suitable. It is a linear route and should not be treated as an automatic rainy-day plan.

PR17 Pináculo e Folhadal also uses the wider Encumeada area, but it needs a separate live status, reservation, weather, and transport check. Proximity does not make it an automatic substitute.

If neither fits the day, use the Madeira hiking guide to identify another route, then verify that route with IFCN.

FAQ

Is PR12 worth going right now? Choose it only if the accessible historic section matches what you want. It is not the complete Encumeada traverse. Check the restriction, reservation, weather, and return daylight before travelling.

How long does the open section take? The restriction creates an out-and-back of up to 7km. The authority does not publish a separate duration for this temporary version, so allow time for your pace, stops, surface conditions, and the return before the entry window closes.

Can I hike from the Encumeada side instead? The current notice authorises access from Boca da Corrida to kilometre 3.5. It does not authorise a reverse start from Encumeada. Follow the named accessible section unless the official page explicitly changes the instruction.

Is it suitable for children? Age is not a route rating. Compare the live distance, mountain surface, weather, exposure, and turnaround with the child’s ability, and ask the managing authority or a qualified guide when unsure.

When will the full route reopen? There is no reliable calendar rule. Follow the official PR12 page and do not plan around an assumed reopening month. Seasonal weather patterns cannot predict maintenance decisions.

A longer hiking stay

A longer stay makes a restriction easier to absorb, but it does not guarantee reopening. Check IFCN and use only the section explicitly listed as open.

Banana House is a year-round, seven-room coliving in Ponta do Sol, normally designed around one month or longer. See the rooms if a flexible work-and-hiking base fits.