Miradouro da Encumeada

The pass that separates — and links — the island's two sides: at 1,007 m on the crest of the central range, Boca da Encumeada shows at once the Ribeira Brava valley to the south and the São Vicente valley to the north, both carpeted with forest, and the peaks that often rise out of a sea of clouds. It is a junction of classified trails: PR 1.3 to Pico Ruivo (final section closed in 2026), PR 17 to Folhadal, PR 21 to Ribeira Grande, PR 22 at Chão dos Louros. Serra d'Água, below, completes the visit. By the ER 228; no fee shown.