Caminho do Norte, historyczna trasa w rejonie Encumeada
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OpenToday: good to goCentral mountains

PR 21

Caminho do Norte

Encumeada - Ribeira Grande. Highlights: Encumeada, Ribeira Grande, old northern track.

mountains and viewpoints
Distance
5.1 km
Time
about 1 h 40 min
Difficulty
Moderate
Fee
from 4.50 EUR
Altitude
320 - 1000 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

Encumeada / Ribeira Grande

check

Quick access check

Parking pointTaxi / transfer likelyPlan the return
Parking / start

A one-way trail from Encumeada. Before you start, make sure you have a realistic way back from the Ribeira Grande area.

Coordinates for navigation

Start32.75452, -17.01889

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 connections for Encumeada, São Vicente and Ribeira Grande; a transfer may be needed.

Search in SIGA: Encumeada, São Vicente, Ribeira Grande.

Logistics

linear trail. Start: Encumeada. End: Ribeira Grande.

Access plan

By car

Encumeada / Ribeira Grande. Set the start point in maps and check whether parking is available in the morning and afternoon.

Without a car

Search in SIGA: Encumeada, São Vicente, Ribeira Grande.

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 21

Orientation point

Encumeada / Caminho do Norte · start

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

Parking / access

Encumeada / Ribeira Grande

A one-way trail from Encumeada. Before you start, make sure you have a realistic way back from the Ribeira Grande area.

Elevation profile

313-987 m

Total ascent: 0 mTotal descent: 669 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

5.1 km · about 1 h 40 min · Moderate

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.
  • Verify wind and visibility before starting.

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.

Daylight

Estimated time: about 1 h 40 min. Latest reasonable start: 17:33 (60 min buffer before dark).

Data confidence

What is reliable and what to check

Trail status

IFCN live

Last read: 15/09/2026, 14:22.

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

check

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

Weather now

Open-Meteo

Updated: 15/09/2026, 14:22. Refresh about every 1h.

After the hike

Where to eat nearby

Taberna da Poncha

Serra de Água

4.7(6,346 reviews)Google Maps rating, checked on 27 July 2026

Not a restaurant but a poncha institution on the ER104 below Encumeada: walls covered in business cards, peanuts with your glass, poncha also bottled to take away. After PR 12, PR 17 or the ridge descent it is the natural first stop; for a full meal drive on.

Hours
usually open morning to evening, but days and hours do vary: confirm before you drive down
Prices
1 to 5 €
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 1 h 40 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?

Encumeada / Ribeira Grande. Check connections for Encumeada, São Vicente and Ribeira Grande; a transfer may be needed.

Is this a good trail with a dog?

check dog rules. May be possible with a dog, but check current rules, weather and passages.

Trail profile

Who it suits and what to watch

Best for

Scenic mountain trail, good in stable weather.

scenicexposure

With dog

check dog rules

May be possible with a dog, but check current rules, weather and passages.

Risks

  • Avoid in strong wind, low visibility or icy ridge conditions.