Stage 4 of 6 · Western section
The Levada do Norte tunnels, the Folhadal forest and its waterfalls, then the climb back up to the moors of Bica da Cana.
| Waypoint | Altitude | Km |
|---|---|---|
| Boca da Encumeada | 1,007 m | 0 km |
| Folhadal | 1,000 m | 2.2 km |
| Caramujo | 1,255 m | 8.2 km |
| Bica da Cana | 1,560 m | 10.6 km |
| Fontes Ruivas | 1,510 m | 14.6 km |
From Encumeada, the crossing follows the PR17 Caminho do Pináculo e Folhadal in reverse. It first runs along the Levada do Norte and its tunnels, two of them several hundred meters long and sometimes flooded ankle-deep: a headlamp is essential.
Beyond, the path crosses the Folhadal forest, one of the finest laurel forests on the island, dotted with waterfalls, then climbs to the Caramujo camping zone (1,255 m) and the Bica da Cana viewpoint (1,560 m). The PR17 is only open between Encumeada and Bica da Cana, which is exactly the section used by the crossing.
A link path built by the IFCN then leads to the Estanquinhos forest house and the Fontes Ruivas camping zone (1,510 m), on the edge of the Paul da Serra plateau. Several camping zones line the stage: you can cut it short at Caramujo or Bica da Cana.
3 water points listed on this stage and 3 tricky sections (levada tunnels: headlamp). Springs can run dry in late summer: ask in the cafés along the route and treat the water if in doubt.
| Km | Point | Type | Altitude |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 km | Tunnel Levada do Norte (≈ 530 m) : lampe frontale | Tricky section | 1,042 m |
| 2.5 km | Tunnel Levada do Norte (≈ 860 m) : lampe frontale | Tricky section | 1,087 m |
| 5.7 km | Tunnel Levada da Ribeira do Inferno (≈ 50 m) : lampe frontale | Tricky section | 1,164 m |
| 13 km | Robinet | Water point | 1,576 m |
| 13.2 km | Fontaine | Water point | 1,583 m |
| 14.5 km | Fontaine | Water point | 1,514 m |
Source: OpenStreetMap (ODbL), points less than 150 m from the trail. Fountains and springs are not tested: treat or filter the water.
Accommodation along the stage, at the finish or on its variants, in walking order.
Sítio da Ribeira Grande (Rosário), on the ER228 between the Boca da Encumeada and São Vicente · Madeira Crossing km 47.8
Small houses deep in the laurel forest on the north side, about 3.3 km by road (ER228) below the Boca da Encumeada…
805 m
©Parque Florestal do Chão dos Louros, on the ER228 below the Boca da Encumeada (north side) · Madeira Crossing km 47.8
Large forest park by the road, about 700 m as the crow flies from the Boca da Encumeada, on the São Vicente side. It…
900 m
Feiteiras, Serra de Água, below the Encumeada pass (south side) · Madeira Crossing km 48.7
3-star mountain hotel about 650 m as the crow flies below the Encumeada pass, on the Serra de Água side. It is the…
Serra de Água (village), Ribeira Brava valley, below the Encumeada pass
Small Alojamento Local property (studios) in the village of Serra de Água, about 5.5 km by road (ER104) below the Boca…
560 m
Fajã dos Vinháticos, Serra de Água, on the Encumeada road
Historic pousada, opened in 1933 according to Visit Madeira, in the Serra de Água valley, about 2 km as the crow flies…
Serra de Água, on the village's main road
120 m² holiday home (2 bedrooms, 4 people) in the village of Serra de Água, about 5.5 km by road below the Boca da…
1,224 m
Lombo do Mouro, Encumeada – Paul da Serra road, next to the Casa do Lombo do Mouro
Small annexe of the Casa do Lombo do Mouro (4 people maximum), rented separately by the IFCN. Same access: a 10-minute…
1,224 m
Lombo do Mouro, Encumeada – Paul da Serra road (10 min on foot from the road)
IFCN forest house rented as a whole (10 people maximum), a 10-minute walk from the Paul da Serra road, about 3 km from…
Sítio dos Lameiros, Rua da Bica 17, on the slopes of the São Vicente valley
Family-run agritourism house (two restored old houses) on a slope of the São Vicente valley, on the edge of the laurel…
Sítio das Feiteiras de Baixo, Rua Dr. Gregório Dinis 37, São Vicente valley
4-star hotel with 41 rooms at the bottom of the São Vicente valley, about 8.5 km by road from the Boca da Encumeada…
Sítio do Passo, Estrada da Furna 23, São Vicente valley
Budget guesthouse in the São Vicente valley, with private rooms (some with a shared bathroom), a shared kitchen and a…
Sítio do Passo, Estrada D. João V no. 160, São Vicente valley
Renovated quinta in the heart of the São Vicente valley, a few minutes from the town and about 8.6 km by road from the…
Juncos, Fajã da Areia, on the seafront about 1 km from São Vicente town
Seafront hotel facing the Atlantic at Fajã da Areia, about 1 km from São Vicente town and 11.7 km by road from the…
1,255 m
Caramujo, on the PR17 (Caminho do Pináculo e Folhadal), above the Levada do Norte · Madeira Crossing km 56.2
Small zone beside the PR17, about 8 km after Encumeada via the Levada do Norte and Folhadal. No water, WC or fire pit…
1,560 m
Bica da Cana, edge of the Paul da Serra (tarmac road), near the forest house · Madeira Crossing km 58.5
Equipped zone (water, WC, fire pits, bins) about 200 m from the route, at the end of the open part of the PR17 coming…
1,540 m
Estanquinhos, Paul da Serra plateau (dirt track) · Madeira Crossing km 60.9
Zone on the Paul da Serra plateau, about 150 m from the route, on the link path laid out by the IFCN between Bica da…
1,510 m
Fontes Ruivas, Paul da Serra plateau (access on foot) · Madeira Crossing km 62.4
Camping zone on the route, about 1.5 km after Estanquinhos. It is the overnight stop chosen after the Encumeada → Bica…
