PR1.3 Vereda da Encumeada — Attraction in Santana

We walked PR 1.3 from Encumeada to Pico de Ruivo and back; it took about 4 hours one way. In the summer it tends to get cloudy from noon on, so start early to make sure you’ll get those breathtaking views. Especially stunning is the silhouette of the entire PR1, which shows in the distance around the midpoint of the trail. There are a lot of steep steps, so good condition is required. Overall, a fantastic and peaceful hike - we barely met any...

PR1.3 (and PR12) is completely passable although it is claimed to be 'closed'. I think this is said so in order to keep tourists out. If you come as a hiker, this route is super easy and no scrambling is required. A good option is to do a horseshoe taking Pico do Arieiro, Pico Ruivo, Pico do Jorge, Pico Grande. From there you can continue to Boca da Corrida or descend to Faja Escura to take a bus....

The trail is closed. Fires have burned it and made it unsafe and unethical to use (it is easy to cause damage to a burned trail and make it unsafe for repair.) The photo is of Encumeada from Curral Martinho.

Wait for them to re-open it in a few months/year+, and then it will be safe to walk. It was a good trail before the fires ruined it and the President of Madeira...