Stage 1: Poço do Gil → Chão das Feiteiras

The route

The Madeira Crossing does not start in the village of Caniçal but at Poço do Gil, in the municipality of Machico, near the western entrance of the Caniçal tunnel. A path zigzags up to Boca do Risco (360 m), a pass open to the ocean where the whole north coast suddenly comes into view.

Then comes the Vereda do Larano, one of the finest trails on the island: a cliff path cut into the rock face, high above the sea, all the way to the heights of Larano. The route then climbs the Vereda das Funduras (PR5), through cool forest, to the Portela viewpoint (about 620 m), the last real place to stock up for the day.

After the Lamaceiros forest station, the crossing follows the Levada do Furado (PR10), an almost flat irrigation channel through the World Heritage-listed laurel forest, then tackles a steep climb to the Chão das Feiteiras camping zone (1,230 m), a stone's throw from Poiso.

Current closure: the PR10 Levada do Furado is closed as of our last check (official IFCN list of November 9, 2026), after part of the path collapsed. No official detour has been published: check with the IFCN before setting off and, if it is still closed, take a taxi from Portela to Poiso.

Practical tips

• Check the status of the PR10 on the official IFCN list the day before you set off: it has been closed since late summer 2026.
• Fill up with water at Portela: there are few reliable water points on the rest of the stage.
• Book the day's PR trails (PR5, PR10) and the night at Chão das Feiteiras on SIMplifica (€5 per tent).
• The Larano cliff path is airy in places: keep children on the inside of the path.