Caminho Real do Paul do Mar, strome zejście ku wybrzeżu
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OpenToday: good to goWest / Rabaçal

PR 19

Caminho Real do Paul do Mar

Prazeres - Paul do Mar. Highlights: Prazeres, Paul do Mar, steep descent.

ocean and cliffsshort trail
Distance
1.8 km
Time
about 45 min
Difficulty
Hard
Fee
from 4.50 EUR
Altitude
16 - 550 m

Decision for today

Good to go

Status and basic weather do not show an obvious blocker. Still check IFCN/SIMplifica before starting.

  • Official status: open.
  • Weather: Good weather.

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Access and parking

Prazeres / Paul do Mar

guidance

Quick access check

Parking pointBus possible after checkingPlan the return
Parking / start

A one-way trail between Prazeres and Paul do Mar. The climb back up is demanding, so plan your transport.

Coordinates for navigation

Start32.75249, -17.21705
Finish32.75477, -17.22724

Enter them into an offline map or the car's navigation before you set off: on mountain roads the signal can drop out for long stretches.

Bus / transfer

Check south-west Madeira connections between Prazeres, Calheta and Paul do Mar.

Search in SIGA: Prazeres, Paul do Mar, Calheta.

Logistics

linear trail. Start: Prazeres. End: Paul do Mar.

Access plan

By car

Prazeres / Paul do Mar. Set the start point in maps and check whether parking is available in the morning and afternoon.

Without a car

Search in SIGA: Prazeres, Paul do Mar, Calheta.

Return

This is a linear or logistically harder trail. Plan pickup, taxi or two transport legs.

Transport information is planning guidance. Confirm schedules, parking and access in official sources before you go.
Parking in Google Maps SIGA schedules

Logistics tip. Confirm current departures, access restrictions and parking with SIGA or locally before heading out.

Trail map

Start point and area

Porto MonizSão VicenteSantanaMachicoFunchalPonta do Sol
PR 19

Orientation point

Prazeres - Paul do Mar · start

This is an orientation point, not a full GPS trail.

Parking / access

Prazeres / Paul do Mar

A one-way trail between Prazeres and Paul do Mar. The climb back up is demanding, so plan your transport.

Elevation profile

65-530 m

Total ascent: 18 mTotal descent: 474 m
StartFinish

Indicative values: elevations read from a terrain model along the GPS track, not measured on the path. On rock ledges and near tunnels the model can show the slope above the trail.

EU-DEM 25 m · OpenStreetMap (ODbL)

Hike plan

Day plan for this trail

Hike

1.8 km · about 45 min · Hard

Conditions

Good to go. Status and basic weather do not show an obvious blocker. Still check IFCN/SIMplifica before starting.

Checklists and timing

Before you go

  • Check the current IFCN notice for this trail.
  • Save the start point and route offline.
  • Book and check the fee in SIMplifica.
  • Compare weather with IPMA/ProCiv before starting.
  • Plan time reserve to turn back if conditions change.

Gear

Offline map / saved start

Signal in mountains and valleys can be unstable.

Water and snacks

Even shorter trails can take longer due to weather and stops.

Windproof layer

On ridges, cliffs and in gusts, wind chills quickly.

Power bank

A longer day outside increases battery use for maps and photos.

Sun protection

Ocean-side sections can be exposed and without shade.

Daylight

Estimated time: about 45 min. Latest reasonable start: 18:29 (60 min buffer before dark).

Data confidence

What is reliable and what to check

Trail status

IFCN live

Last read: 15/09/2026, 14:21.

Difficulty

official

Shown as official or consistent with the source label.

Map point

start

This is an orientation point, not a full GPS trail.

Access

guidance

Checked: 14/05/2026, 01:00. Confirm schedules in SIGA.

Weather now

Open-Meteo

Updated: 15/09/2026, 14:21. Refresh about every 1h.

Races in this area

Competitions are scheduled nearby on these dates. Expect closed access roads, full car parks or traffic on the trail itself.

  • TransMadeira

    9/28/26 - 10/3/26 · cycling race

    calheta

Dates from the regional events calendar; confirm with the organiser before you travel.

After the hike

Where to eat nearby

Abrigo dos Prazeres

Prazeres

4.7(335 reviews)Google Maps rating, checked on 25 July 2026

There is nowhere to eat at Rabaçal, and this is the first sensible stop once you drop off the plateau towards the coast. Big portions at village prices. Closed on Wednesday, so check before you drive down.

Hours
Sunday 11:00 to 19:00, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday to Saturday 11:00 to 23:00, closed Wednesday
Prices
15 to 25 €
Cards:
accepted
Open in Google Maps

We checked the ratings and hours once, on the date shown, and this kind of data ages fast: confirm before you drive out. We have no agreement with these places and earn nothing on these tips.

Trail FAQ

Common questions before you go

Is the trail currently available?

Open. Trail status and weather can change quickly. Before you go, check IFCN, SIMplifica, IPMA/ProCiv and local signage.

How long does the hike take?

Roughly 45 min at a calm pace without longer breaks. Add time for photos and rest.

How much does entry cost?

Entry costs €4.50 for visitors over 12. Pay online in SIMplifica and keep the confirmation for checks.

Do I need to book or pay?

This trail requires booking or entry verification in SIMplifica before you start.

Where do I park and how do I get there?

Prazeres / Paul do Mar. Check south-west Madeira connections between Prazeres, Calheta and Paul do Mar.

Is this a good trail with a dog?

not advised with dog. Conditions, exposure or difficulty make another dog-friendly trail a better choice.

Trail profile

Who it suits and what to watch

Best for

Trail for hikers with better fitness and spare time.

demandingshortcliffs/ocean

With dog

not advised with dog

Conditions, exposure or difficulty make another dog-friendly trail a better choice.

Risks

  • On cliff trails, check wind, exposure and descent conditions.
  • Leave a larger time buffer and do not start late in the day.