PR 2 · Madeira
Vereda do Urzal
A crossing from the mountain bowl at Curral das Freiras over to the north coast at Boaventura. Currently only walkable from the north.
- Distance 10.3 km
- Walking time 4 h 30
- Highest point 1,450 m
- Difficulty Moderate
- Route One way
Official figures. Walking times are moving times: they assume you never stop.
The route
One way. The trail ends somewhere else from where it starts, so plan how you get back before you set off.
The walk
Ten and a half kilometres from Fajã dos Cardos in Curral das Freiras, over the ridge at around 1450 m, and down to Lombo do Urzal in Boaventura at 519 m. A proper crossing of the island's width at its narrowest.
At the moment it is only passable from the Boaventura end as far as km 6.2, so it is an out-and-back from the north rather than a traverse. Plan accordingly.
The bus situation is unusually good at both ends and unusually easy to get wrong. Line 81 to Curral das Freiras only reaches the trailhead on the runs signed via Fajã dos Cardos. At the Boaventura end, Rodoeste line 6 runs once a day: it gets there mid-morning and leaves mid-afternoon. Miss it and you are stranded on the north coast.
A long climb whichever end you start from, and half the trail is currently shut.
Before you go
By bus
Line 181 (formerly 81) from Funchal to Curral das Freiras, but only the runs signed via Fajã dos Cardos reach the trailhead — check the destination board, not the number. At the north end, Rodoeste line 300/301 (formerly 6) serves Boaventura once each way per day, arriving late morning and leaving mid-afternoon.
In the app
Everything for the day you walk PR 2
- You, on the line The whole trail on the map with your position on it, from the car park to the end.
- No signal needed Kept on your phone for the valleys and tunnels where the network goes.
- Today's free slots Every half hour of the day, live from SIMplifica, and booking in a tap.
- A timer for the walk Private, it counts from the trailhead and stops by itself at the end.
- To do, and done Mark the walks you want to do and the ones you have walked.
- Open or closed, every morning The IFCN status on every trail, read again each day.
Questions people ask
Is PR 2 open today?
Yes. The IFCN lists PR 2 (Vereda do Urzal) as open.
Do I need a licence for PR 2?
Yes. Every visitor over twelve books an entry slot on SIMplifica, the regional government's portal, before walking, and pays €4.50. Madeira residents, children aged twelve and under and people with a disability of 60% or more do not pay, but still register.
How long does PR 2 take?
The official walking time is 4 h 30 for 10.3 km, one way. It is a moving time that assumes you never stop, so allow more for photographs, food and rests.
Can I get to PR 2 by bus?
Line 181 (formerly 81) from Funchal to Curral das Freiras, but only the runs signed via Fajã dos Cardos reach the trailhead — check the destination board, not the number. At the north end, Rodoeste line 300/301 (formerly 6) serves Boaventura once each way per day, arriving late morning and leaving mid-afternoon.
Checked against
- Visit Madeira, official trail sheet PR 2 (10.6 km, 4:30, moderate, 519–1450 m)
- Visit Madeira open/closed list: passable only between Lombo do Urzal and km 6.2
- Horários do Funchal line 81 timetable (Fajã dos Cardos variants)
- Rodoeste line 6 timetable, Funchal–Encumeada–Arco de São Jorge, one service each way per day
Status as the IFCN publishes it. This page was last rebuilt on 15 October at 07:00, Madeira time. Trails close without warning after storms: check again on the morning you walk.
Trails nearby
All 43 trails
PR 9 Open Levada do Caldeirão Verde
A long levada walk from the Queimadas forest park to a waterfall falling into a green bowl, through four tunnels on the way.
- 8.7 km
- 6 h 30
- Moderate
- There and back
PR 22 Open Vereda do Chão dos Louros
A short loop around the Chão dos Louros forest park, and the only classified trail here that brings you back to your car.
- 1.9 km
- 45 min
- Easy
- Loop
Vereda da Encumeada
The mountain traverse from Pico Ruivo west to Encumeada. Half of it is currently closed.
- 11.2 km
- 5 h
- Moderate
- One way