PR 12 - Caminho Real da Encumeada
- Location
- Camara de Lobos, Madeira
- Category
- Outdoor & Adventure / Hiking
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Duration
- 240
- Distance
- 12.5 km (one way, 25 km out and back)
- Cost
- €4.50
Sunrise and Sunset on This Trail
- Morning golden hour at km 0.3 from the trailhead: Sep 27 to Mar 17. Times computed from terrain for clear skies.
- Sunrise over the open ocean at km 0.6 from the trailhead: Nov 4 to Feb 7. Times computed from terrain for clear skies.
- Sunrise behind the mountain ridge at km 3.0 from the trailhead: Apr 25 to Aug 19, Oct 8 to Mar 6. Times computed from terrain for clear skies.
- Sunset behind the mountain ridge at km 3.0 from the trailhead: Mar 18 to Sep 24, Oct 29 to Feb 12. Times computed from terrain for clear skies.
- Sunset over the open ocean at km 4.2 from the trailhead: Oct 25 to Feb 16. Times computed from terrain for clear skies.
The Caminho Real da Encumeada is a 12.5 km medium-difficulty trail that takes approximately 4 hours, following an ancient cobblestone Royal Road that once served as a major route across Madeira's central mountain range near the archipelago's highest peaks. Beginning at the Boca da Corrida viewpoint, this historic path was once traveled by wealthy landowners on horseback, with their wives carried in hammocks by servants, and even featured a small grocery store serving as a rest stop for travelers crossing the island.
⚠️ Status: Partially open. Accessible from Boca da Corrida to km 3.5.