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PR 13 — Vereda do Fanal

PR 13 — Vereda do Fanal — the trail guide

The PR 13 — Vereda do Fanal is a 11.0 km trek in Portugal, typically walked in 1 day, with 292 m of total ascent. It rates Moderate on our published rubric (27 m of gain per km, topping out at 1435 m).

PR 13 runs 11 km across western Madeira, dropping from the ER 209 roadhead at Assobiadores on the rim of the Paul da Serra plateau to the Fanal plateau at around 1,240 m. It threads UNESCO-listed laurisilva, the relict laurel forest that once blanketed southern Europe, on dirt paths, mossy steps and old forestry tracks before emptying onto Fanal's grassy bowl of gnarled til trees. Most walk it one way in about four hours; both ends are remote, so transport has to be arranged.

Quick facts

Distance11.0 km
Total ascent292 m
Typical duration1 day
Difficulty (computed)Moderate
Steepness27 m gain per km
High point1435 m
CountryPortugal
RegionPortugal

Difficulty is computed from gain-per-km and maximum altitude on a published rubric, identically for every trail in the catalogue — so an "Moderate" here means the same thing everywhere on DirtbagMaps.

Elevation profile

Low point 1134 m · high point 1435 m · 292 m total ascent over 11.0 km.

Historical climate normals — month by month

ERA5 reanalysis averages (2015–2024) for the trail area, referenced to approximately 1420 m elevation. These are gridded historical estimates, not observations from every stage and not a forecast. They cannot show current snowpack, river levels, fire restrictions, closures or whether a pass is safe.

MonthAvg highAvg lowAvg precip
Jan10°5°113 mm
Feb10°4°113 mm
Mar10°5°128 mm
Apr11°5°105 mm
May12°7°67 mm
Jun14°9°77 mm
Jul17°11°24 mm
Aug18°12°28 mm
Sep16°11°63 mm
Oct15°10°127 mm
Nov12°8°120 mm
Dec11°6°134 mm

Planning notes

Frequently asked questions

How long is the PR 13 — Vereda do Fanal?

The PR 13 — Vereda do Fanal is 11.0 km, and most hikers complete it in 1 day. Total elevation gain is 292 m.

How difficult is the PR 13 — Vereda do Fanal?

It rates Moderate on DirtbagMaps' computed rubric: 27 m of climbing per km walked with a high point of 1435 m. The rubric classifies every trail from gain-per-km and maximum altitude, so ratings are comparable across the whole catalogue.

Can this climate table tell me when the PR 13 — Vereda do Fanal is open or safe?

No. The table contains historical ERA5 averages, not a forecast or a report of snow, flooding, fire, closures or route condition. Check the responsible land manager and a current local forecast before departure.

Where is the PR 13 — Vereda do Fanal?

In Portugal. The route starts near 32.767, -17.108 — the interactive 3D map above shows the full line, and the planner splits it into daily stages.

Can I get the GPX and plan daily stages?

Yes. Open the trail in the DirtbagMaps planner to drag the elevation profile into daily stages, see huts and accommodation along the corridor, and export a per-day GPX for your watch or GPS.

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