This plan takes its time: the first stage is split at Portela, and the west of the island is covered in four short days, with nights at Caramujo, after the Levada do Norte tunnels, and at Ribeira do Alecrim, near 25 Fontes.
No day exceeds 15 km: you have time to climb to the summit of Pico Ruivo at sunset, to walk the 25 Fontes and Levada do Risco loop, and to enjoy Fanal in the evening.
Day-by-day plan
| Day | Leg | Distance | Ascent | Descent | Walking time | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poço do Gil → Portela Night at Portela, in Porto da Cruz or in Santo da Serra. | 14.4 km | 920 m | 550 m | 5h – 6h | Portela and Porto da Cruz | |
| Portela → Chão das Feiteiras Via the Levada do Furado (closed as of November 9, 2026). | 10 km | 800 m | 170 m | 3h30 – 4h15 | Chão das Feiteiras and Poiso | |
| Chão das Feiteiras → Pico Ruivo Via Poiso, Pico do Areeiro and the PR1. | 13.5 km | 990 m | 440 m | 5h – 5h45 | Pico Ruivo | |
| Pico Ruivo → Encumeada Night at the Chão dos Louros camping zone or at the hotel on the pass. | 9.9 km | 350 m | 1,140 m | 4h – 4h45 | Encumeada and Chão dos Louros | |
| Encumeada → Caramujo Levada do Norte tunnels: headlamp. | 8.4 km | 1,020 m | 750 m | 5h – 6h | Bica da Cana, Estanquinhos and Fontes Ruivas | |
| Caramujo → Ribeira do Alecrim Ribeira do Alecrim camping zone 0.8 km from the route. | 11.9 km | 330 m | 200 m | 3h15 – 3h45 | Rabaçal and Ribeira do Alecrim | |
| Ribeira do Alecrim → Fanal Via 25 Fontes and the PR13. | 11.5 km | 410 m | 660 m | 3h30 – 4h15 | Fanal | |
| Fanal → Ribeira da Janela | 10.6 km | 130 m | 1,250 m | 3h30 – 4h15 | Ribeira da Janela | |
| Total | 90 km | 4,950 m | 5,160 m | |||
Distances and ascent calculated on the waymarked main route; “≈” marks a day on a variant (estimated values). Walking times according to the DIN 33466 standard, without breaks.
The itinerary on the map
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Customize this itineraryTips for this itinerary
- The PR6 to 25 Fontes is one-way: out along the levada, back on the bypass path.
- Check the status of the PR10 before the second day and that of the PR1.3 before the fourth.
The stages in detail
1
Poço do Gil Chão das Feiteiras
0 m250 m500 m750 m1,000 m1,250 m1,500 m0 km5 km10 km15 km20 km
2
Chão das Feiteiras Pico Ruivo
1,000 m1,250 m1,500 m1,750 m2,000 m0 km5 km10 km
3
Pico Ruivo Encumeada
750 m1,000 m1,250 m1,500 m1,750 m2,000 m0 km2 km4 km6 km8 km
4
Encumeada Fontes Ruivas
750 m1,000 m1,250 m1,500 m1,750 m0 km5 km10 km
5
Fontes Ruivas Fanal
750 m1,000 m1,250 m1,500 m1,750 m0 km5 km10 km15 km
6
Fanal Ribeira da Janela
0 m250 m500 m750 m1,000 m1,250 m0 km5 km10 km