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Explore Madeira

📡 Today's status

The IFCN's official status, read every day. Green only when the IFCN writes « aberto » with no reserve.

● Open · ABERTO

The royal road that tumbles from Prazeres down to Paul do Mar: only 1.8 km, about 1:20, moderate, but 534 m of descent, from 550 to 16 m, zigzagging on small paved steps between agricultural terraces. Right from the start, the Lombo da Rocha viewpoint overlooks the parishes of Jardim do Mar and Paul do Mar. The trail is part of Madeira's historical heritage: it recalls the hard access routes of the past, walked with heavy loads on the back, and was for a long time the only alternative to the sea link, too expensive for many and impossible in rough seas. At the bottom, Paul do Mar stays true to its fishing tradition, with, over the past decade or so, bars opened on the shore where locals and visitors meet. A sun-exposed slope: little shade, water and hat; poles are welcome for the knees.

Highlights

  • 530 m zigzag descent
  • Lombo da Rocha viewpoint
  • Cobbled royal road
  • Fishing village
Difficulty
Moderate
Length
1.8 km
Elevation gain
534 m
Duration
1:20
Price
€4.50 (over 12) · SIMplifica booking · free for residents and under-13s
Municipality
Calheta
🎟️ Book on SIMplifica🗺️ See the route on the map📍 Start🏁 End

Track for guidance only.

Places within 2 km of the route

  • 🏝️ Bathing spot

    Praia da Ribeira das Galinhas (Paul do Mar)

    Paul do Mar's lively beach, one of the most popular on the west coast: pebbles, clear water warm almost all year, a relaxed atmosphere. Unsupervised but well equipped — bar, sun deck, parasols, showers — with the village bars and restaurants serving this coast's fish all around. Much loved by surfers, it has hosted several competitions. Bathing season 2026: 15 June – 15 September, but lifeguard cover not yet confirmed. In a swell follow the flags: red = no bathing.

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  • 🏝️ Bathing spot

    Praia do Porto (Paul do Mar)

    At the eastern end of Paul do Mar, next to the harbour, the pebble beach of a village that has lived from the sea for centuries: on one side the narrow streets sheltered by the cliff, on the other the Atlantic where the traditional fishing boats float. Clear, mild water all year. In July the village hosts the limpet festival, which draws Madeirans and tourists. Bathing season 2026: 15 June – 15 September, but lifeguard cover not yet confirmed. In a swell follow the flags: red = no bathing.

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  • 📍 Sítio

    Jardim do Mar

    The west-coast village set on a fajã at the foot of tall cliffs, whose name recalls the wild flowers that once covered it; narrow lanes and traditional low houses, a recently restored water mill, and a worldwide reputation among surfers: the Portinho beach — point breaks and reef breaks, Red Bull Big Wave Challenge, a world championship event — and Enseada, for advanced riders, get some of the best waves in Europe. You reach it by road or, when open, by the Vereda do Jardim do Mar (PR 20) from Prazeres.

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  • 📍 Sítio

    Paul do Mar

    In the south-west of the island, a parish of the municipality of Calheta shaped by the sea: a "paul", a valley sheltered by imposing rocks on one side and washed by the ocean on the other. An important fishing centre — the fish makes the restaurants' reputation — the village had a tuna-export cannery from 1912, whose chimney still stands. As at Jardim do Mar, the waves draw surfers; the Porto and Ribeira das Galinhas beaches line the seafront and its bars. You get down by road or by the Caminho Real do Paul do Mar (PR 19) from Prazeres, 534 m of paved steps. Limpet festival in July.

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