PR 12 - Caminho Real da Encumeada
- Location
- Camara de Lobos, Madeira
- Category
- Outdoor & Adventure / Hiking
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Duration
- 240
- Cost
- €4.50
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.