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PR 17 — Caminho do Pináculo e Folhadal

PR 17 — Caminho do Pináculo e Folhadal — the trail guide

The PR 17 — Caminho do Pináculo e Folhadal is a 15.4 km trek in Portugal, typically walked in 1 day, with 1106 m of total ascent. It rates Moderate on our published rubric (72 m of gain per km, topping out at 1554 m).

A one-way traverse of Madeira's mountain spine, dropping from the ER 105 at Lombo do Mouro on the rim of the Paul da Serra plateau to the pass at Boca da Encumeada. The path switchbacks down past the Pináculo crag into Folhadal, a pocket of ancient laurisilva where springs spill across the track, then follows the Levada do Norte through several unlit tunnels to the finish. Around 15.5 km and roughly five hours, almost all of it descending.

Quick facts

Distance15.4 km
Total ascent1106 m
Typical duration1 day
Difficulty (computed)Moderate
Steepness72 m gain per km
High point1554 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 944 m · high point 1554 m · 1106 m total ascent over 15.4 km.

Historical climate normals — month by month

ERA5 reanalysis averages (2015–2024) for the trail area, referenced to approximately 1364 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°4°92 mm
Feb10°4°94 mm
Mar11°4°110 mm
Apr12°5°85 mm
May13°7°49 mm
Jun15°8°75 mm
Jul18°10°10 mm
Aug19°11°16 mm
Sep17°10°45 mm
Oct16°9°109 mm
Nov13°7°103 mm
Dec11°6°112 mm

Planning notes

Frequently asked questions

How long is the PR 17 — Caminho do Pináculo e Folhadal?

The PR 17 — Caminho do Pináculo e Folhadal is 15.4 km, and most hikers complete it in 1 day. Total elevation gain is 1106 m.

How difficult is the PR 17 — Caminho do Pináculo e Folhadal?

It rates Moderate on DirtbagMaps' computed rubric: 72 m of climbing per km walked with a high point of 1554 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 17 — Caminho do Pináculo e Folhadal 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 17 — Caminho do Pináculo e Folhadal?

In Portugal. The route starts near 32.743, -17.045 — 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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