PR22 Madeira: Vereda do Chão dos Louros route guide

PR22 is an official 1.9km circular route at Chão dos Louros, estimated at about 45 minutes and rated easy. Its figures and open status were checked on 14 August 2026; confirm them again on the live Visit Madeira hiking list.

The trail in three sentences

PR22 starts and ends at Chão dos Louros and passes through laurissilva. Follow the signed loop. Do not continue onto a connecting route unless its current status, reservation, direction, and transport have been checked separately.

Where it starts: the Chão dos Louros forest park

The trailhead is at Chão dos Louros forest park on the ER-228 between Encumeada and São Vicente. Use the current IFCN route record and signed approach. Check road conditions, park rules, facilities, fire restrictions, parking, and any fee on the day rather than treating old details as permanent.

The road also approaches from São Vicente. Use live navigation and current road notices, and add the Encumeada viewpoint only when visibility and parking allow.

What you actually walk through

The route passes through laurissilva, including native laurel-family species adapted to Madeira’s humid forest. Observe plants without breaking leaves or leaving the signed path.

The forest park can host local gatherings, but dates, fire rules, access, and crowd levels need a current municipal or organiser source. Do not travel for an event based only on an undated trail article.

Other routes in the Encumeada area

PR22 on its own is a short walk, so it can work before or after another activity in the Encumeada area.

The Encumeada area also connects with PR17 Caminho do Pináculo e Folhadal and PR12 Caminho Real da Encumeada. Treat them as separate routes: confirm each live status, exact trailhead, reservation, difficulty, and transport before considering a second walk.

When to go

Check the route status, mountain forecast, road notices, and forest-park rules for the day. Conditions can differ from the south coast in any month, and no season guarantees an empty or dry path.

Local events can change access, parking, and crowd levels. Check the current municipal and organiser programme for the exact September date, then follow any IFCN or road notice. The best time to visit Madeira guide gives broader seasonal context.

FAQ

How long does PR22 take? The official estimate is about 45 minutes for the 1.9km loop. Allow your own margin for conditions and stops rather than using assumptions about visitor behaviour.

Can I bring a dog? Check current forest-park and IFCN rules before bringing an animal. Carry water and do not assume park taps or bowls are available.

Is the trail circular? Yes, 1.9km loop. You start and finish at the Chão dos Louros forest park. Walk it in either direction.

Can I combine PR22 with another trail? Only use a connecting junction when both routes are officially open and the complete transport plan is confirmed. Otherwise treat PR17 and PR12 as separate future choices.

Is it worth driving from Funchal? That depends on whether a short laurissilva loop is the purpose of the day. If considering another activity, verify its access separately and do not assume PR17 or PR12 is open or suitable.

A longer hiking stay

A longer stay gives more room to choose a legal open route suited to the weather. It does not guarantee an empty forest park or make every route suitable for a dog.

Banana House is a year-round, seven-room coliving in Ponta do Sol, normally designed around stays of one month or longer. Every room has a real desk and chair, and the house has 200+ Mbps fibre plus additional work areas. See the rooms and current monthly options, or browse the Madeira hiking guide for other routes.