PR 2 · Vereda do Urzal

The old path that linked the south coast to the north coast over the mountains. It starts at Fajã dos Cardos, in the Curral das Freiras cirque, and ends at Lombo do Urzal, in the parish of Boaventura: 10.3 km official list, 4:30, moderate, between 519 and 1,450 m. The beginning runs through exotic vegetation, then come high-altitude vegetation and the native Laurissilva forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The climb leads to Boca das Torrinhas, the junction with PR 1.3: from there the section to Pico Ruivo is open (the one to Encumeada remains closed). The pass gives a mountain panorama over the peaks that enclose the Curral das Freiras valley — worth a stop. Afterwards the trail only descends, through dense vegetation, to Lombo do Urzal. Plan your logistics: the two ends are about an hour's drive apart.

Track for guidance only.