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PR 21 — Caminho do Norte

PR 21 — Caminho do Norte — the trail guide

The PR 21 — Caminho do Norte is a 2.9 km trek in Portugal, typically walked in 2–3 hours, with 0 m of total ascent. It rates Moderate on our published rubric.

PR 21 drops off the Boca da Encumeada, the ~1,000 m saddle where Madeira's north and south roads meet, and falls roughly 675 m in about three kilometres to the hamlet of Ribeira Grande in the São Vicente valley. Old stone paving, steps and mossy walls thread the laurisilva, the island's UNESCO laurel forest. It is short, so most walkers drive or bus up to the pass, descend, then either climb back or arrange a pick-up below. A €3 trail ticket applies.

Quick facts

Distance2.9 km
Total ascent0 m
Typical duration2–3 hours
Difficulty (computed)Moderate
High point1002 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 312 m · high point 1002 m · 0 m total ascent over 2.9 km.

Historical climate normals — month by month

ERA5 reanalysis averages (2015–2024) for the trail area, referenced to approximately 973 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
Jan13°92 mm
Feb13°94 mm
Mar13°110 mm
Apr14°85 mm
May16°49 mm
Jun18°11°75 mm
Jul21°13°10 mm
Aug22°14°16 mm
Sep20°13°45 mm
Oct18°12°109 mm
Nov15°10°103 mm
Dec14°112 mm

Planning notes

Frequently asked questions

How long is the PR 21 — Caminho do Norte?

The PR 21 — Caminho do Norte is 2.9 km, and most hikers complete it in 2–3 hours. Total elevation gain is 0 m.

How difficult is the PR 21 — Caminho do Norte?

It rates Moderate on DirtbagMaps' computed rubric. 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 21 — Caminho do Norte 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 21 — Caminho do Norte?

In Portugal. The route starts near 32.754, -17.019 — 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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