PR17 Pinaculo e Folhadal

Great walk, relatively flat/easy but a flashlight is needed for the tunnels! Also waterproof boots are a good idea as if it has rained the waterfalls can overflow and cover the path. Couldn't go to the end as the tunnel was flooded but was a beautiful waterfall.

Best experience and never give up!
You can do it! 💪💪💪
This is one of an amazing hiking walk for us in Madeira Island.
All the weather in one day except snow 😆.
So fresh, so green, so quiet on the of the peak 😍.
Love ❤

This is the best walk we did on Madeira. We did it in reverse. It’s long at 15km. Took us 4 hours 20 minutes. It has everything. Fantastic tunnels (take torch). Beautiful waterfalls many of which you have to walk under (so take raincoat).
High places. Cliffs. Views. Forests. Amazing walk.

Wonderful hike. Very nice and not difficult. Be careful and get water and also some light, to be on the safe side.

My partner and I took this trail thinking it was an easy one but it was certainly difficult. This challenge was certainly worth it for the stunning views over sao Vicente, the beautiful waterfalls and heading all the way up to the wind turbines. To treck this more comfortably you will need a head torch, walking poles, an umbrella/ raincoat (some waterfalls go onto the path), plenty of water, plenty of food/ snacks, hiking shoes with good grip and something to help you go to the toilet if you’re a woman (Shewee).
Beware this is not a loop so you will not start where you finish so may need to get a lift to where you parked.
Overall I would recommend this hike if you’re looking for a challenge and want to see some of the beauty of Madeira.

Beautiful walk, with lots of tunnels and wonderful views!

Nice track beside a levada. Levadas are a basic part of the watering system. Additionally, one can have an easy hiking opportunity. They are scattered all over the island. Sometimes you have to pass tunnels, which can be a problem with babies or people with special needs.

Intense but very rewarding hike. Longer and tougher than we were expecting as experienced hikers. We completed the loop in 6 hours. Flashlight/headlamp is essential. Walkme Madeira app (and pre-loading map) highly recommended.

On 17 July 2023, all pedestrian tunnels and trails along PR17 were open and in good condition.

However, it’s worth (in case you were planning like us to have one person run back to the Encumeada trailhead to pick the others up in a car) noting that the first tunnel on ER105 (closest to Encumeada) was closed to road traffic due to work clearing a landslide just beyond the Lombo do Mouro trailhead.

Beautiful walk with minimal elevation. The tunnels can be a little challenging as narrow ledges and low ceilings especially at the entrance and exits, but overall fantastic

It very nice , but a bit challenging if I am honest. Also due to my friend we ignored the fact that the Levada is currently closed….. 👍 definitely 5 ⭐, but I would rather hike 2 easy-ish ones 😀

For me the Best trekking in Madeira because There is a variety of landscapes unique. From Levada, to tunnel, from forest to waterfalls and pinnacles. Stunning views along all the way. Very long path (18km) with 2 long tunnels (7 and 15 minute walk), waterfalls and the last 3km on the main road. So make sure to bring torch, raincoat, drinks and snacks. And of course, take a lot of pictures

An incredible spot in the Madeira's levada circuit. Tunnels, amazing views, kilometers and kilometers of hiking paths. Is a little bit far from Funchal thus getting there in car or in a tour is advisable.

Beautifull and peacefull hike. Didn't go through the tunnel and only did de first part. That's about 5km back an forth with no elevation.

been to Madeira for second time, walked many levadas and veradas. This one seems to provide most beatiful and spectacular views, its my favorite.

Superb, beautiful and dramatic vistas through the river valleys. A stunning day out.

Lovely easy walk with fabulous views. Great guide and some lovely flowers.

Beautiful hike trail and not very popular. We met only few people on the trail. It definitely worth doing it fully. It is better to have a headlamp with you, because there are 2 long tunnels on it.

It was interesting to take a walk through the tunnels. Also there is a beautiful view to the mountains

The Caminho do Pináculo e Folhadal (PR17) is one of - if not the - most beautiful levadas/veredas on Madeira Island. It starts and finishes in Encumeada, and takes you to magnificent views over both the Saõ Vicente valley as well as the Ribeira Brava valley, and the mountain range in-between. You get to see O Pináculo, the famous rock, close by. You also get to walk through a gorgeous Laura Silva forest. Visit it on a beautiful clear day in early autumn, and see and smell the beautiful lily-of-the-valley-trees (clethra arborea) in flower.

Unfortunately currently the section from Bica da Cana to Lombo do Mouro is currently under renovation, and officially closed. Currently it is in a very good condition, and easy to walk. However most days (probably not Sundays?) there are workers on the levada. Please do not disturb them!

The section from Encumeada through Folhadal to Bica de Cana is open. You can return from Bica de Cana to Encumeada along ER110, but then you will miss out the most beautiful views as well as O Pináculo. There are several long tunnels. You have to have a good torch, and a helmet is useful. The climb from Casa do Caramujo up to Bica de Cana is quite steep. Total altitude difference if about 600m.

This is a levada trail, which means it runs along one of the many small canals running through Madeira. It's pretty level for the most part, and consists mostly of walking on top of a concrete wall that forms one side of the aquaduct. It's maybe a metre wide though does narrow in some spots. It looks like a loop on the map but unless you're prepared with a helmet and headlamp for the tunnel sections it's maybe 8 km out and back. It runs through forests along the steep mountain side and from time to time opens out to stunning mountain views. Bring waterr and food; aside from the little restaurant on the highway where it starts there are no services.