Vereda do Pico

Vereda do Pico: The Best Kept Secret Trail Above Porto Moniz

When travelers arrive in the village of Porto Moniz, their eyes are instantly drawn to the crashing waves and the famous volcanic pools along the shoreline. They park their cars, take a swim, snap a few photos, and eventually leave. But if you are a traveler who prefers to see the world from a higher perspective, away from the standard tourist footprint, you need to look up.

Carved into the incredibly steep, lush mountainside rising directly behind the village is a historic, hidden footpath known as the Vereda do Pico.

This trail is not heavily advertised on standard tourist maps. It is a local secret. Serving as an ancient arterial walkway that connected the high agricultural lands of Santa down to the fishing village below, the Vereda do Pico offers arguably the single most breathtaking aerial view of the wild North Coast.

In this complete local guide, we will break down what it feels like to walk this spectacular panoramic trail, how to find it, and why making Porto Moniz your permanent basecamp is the ultimate way to experience Madeira.

There are trails in Madeira that feel like they were made for postcards. And then there are trails like the Vereda do Pico in Porto Moniz — the kind that feel like they were made just for you. Rugged, dramatic, and almost entirely off the tourist radar, this coastal levada path rewards those who seek it with views so raw and beautiful they’re hard to put into words.

Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or simply someone who loves wandering through wild landscapes with a good pair of shoes and nowhere to be, the Vereda do Pico is a walk that will stay with you long after you’ve left the island.

---

What Is the Vereda do Pico?

The Vereda do Pico is a hiking trail located in the northwestern municipality of Porto Moniz, one of Madeira’s most spectacular and least-crowded corners. Unlike the island’s more famous routes — the Levada do Caldeirão Verde or the famous Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo ridge walk — this vereda (literally “path” in Portuguese) remains quietly under the radar, attracting mostly locals and those in the know.

---

The Experience: Walking the Vereda do Pico

Walking the Vereda do Pico is an immersive dive into the island’s raw topography. In Madeira, a “vereda” is a traditional mountain path, and this specific route is a masterclass in vertical island living.

Let’s be honest — a trail is only as good as the feeling it gives you.

From the moment you start walking the Vereda do Pico, there’s a sense of being properly in Madeira. Not the Madeira of hotel pools and tour buses, but the real thing: the smell of sea air mixed with damp earth, the sound of waves crashing far below on volcanic rock, the occasional whistle of a bird you can’t quite identify.

The path takes you through native shrubland and coastal vegetation, with the landscape shifting as you gain elevation. On one side, the Atlantic stretches endlessly westward. On the other, the green hills of Porto Moniz roll toward the interior of the island

• The Sensation of Scale: As you navigate the steep, winding path high above the village, the sheer scale of the Atlantic Ocean opens up before you. You can see the distinct red roofs of Porto Moniz neatly arranged below, contrasting brilliantly against the deep blue water and the dark volcanic rock.

• The Unobstructed Panorama: From the upper sections of the trail (near the Caminho do Pico), you sit at roughly 300 meters above sea level. You get a perfect, bird’s-eye view of the Ilhéu Mole (the small, dome-shaped islet just off the coast) and the intricate maze of the village’s coastal lava rock.

• The Descent: The trail zigzags dramatically into the valley. As you walk down through the terraced gardens and small local farm plots, the sound of the Atlantic waves crashing against the shore grows louder and louder with every step.

Fascinating Fun Facts:

• An Ancient Highway: Long before the modern VR´s and the ER101 roads and tunnels were blasted through the rock, veredas like this were the only way locals could transport goods, crops, and fish between the upper mountain parishes and the sea. It is called “Caminho Real”, which translates to “Royal Path”.

• A Fast Altitude Drop: The trail features gradients that can exceed 15%. You drop hundreds of meters in elevation in a very short distance, showcasing the extreme, vertical nature of Madeira’s geography.

---

How to Get There & Where to Park

Because this trail is located right in Porto Moniz, your logistical experience depends entirely on where you choose to wake up in the morning.

The Effortless Start from Porto Moniz If you have made the brilliant decision to base yourself in the north at The Jolie, you do not need a car at all.

• The Route: You can simply walk out your door in the village center and head inland, walking up the paved roads toward the back of the valley, pass by the towns church, until you connect with the Vereda das Escaleiras, which links directly up to the Vereda do Pico.

• The Choice: You can choose to use the path as an intense, heart-pumping cardio climb up or take a local taxi or a bus to the top of the hill in Santa and enjoy a leisurely, incredibly scenic walk down into the village.

The Exhausting Commute from Funchal If you are staying in the southern capital, you must first commit to the cross-island journey before you can even begin your hike.

• By Car: Take the VR1 highway to Ribeira Brava, and then the VE4 through the central tunnels to São Vicente, then the spectacular VE2 coastal road to Porto Moniz. The drive takes about 1 hour. You can park in the large municipal lots near the oceanfront and walk up to the trail.

• By Public Bus: You can catch the Rodoeste bus from Funchal (typically Route 139 or 80). The bus ride is a beautiful, winding 2.5 to 3-hour journey. The bus drops you off in the center of Porto Moniz, perfectly positioning you to start exploring.

---

Practical Tips for a Safe and Perfect Hike

To ensure your experience on the Vereda do Pico is memorable for all the right reasons, keep these local tips in mind:

• Protect Your Knees: This path is steep. If you are walking down from the top, the descent can be hard on your knees and calves. Take your time, enjoy the sweeping views, and consider bringing a trekking pole for extra stability.

• Proper Footwear is Mandatory: The stone steps and concrete paths can become slippery, especially if there has been a recent coastal rain shower or morning dew. Leave the flip-flops at your accommodation and wear sturdy sneakers or hiking boots with good grip.

• Chase the Golden Hour: The best time to walk this trail is in the late afternoon. The harsh midday sun softens, casting a beautiful golden glow over the village below, making for world-class photography.

---

🤫 The Jolie Local Secret

Many tourists arrive in Porto Moniz by bus, or with a rent a car, walk along the promenade, and leave two hours later. Because they are rushing back to Funchal, they never get to experience the true depth of the region. As a slow traveler based in the north, you have the luxury to design the ultimate, multi-layered day.

Our local secret: Make the Vereda do Pico the centerpiece of a perfect, highly contrasting daily itinerary.

Start your morning driving high up into the mountains to wander through the silent, ancient trees of the fanal forest before the day-trippers arrive. By lunchtime, head to the western edge of the island to experience the pure adrenaline of the achadas da cruz cable car, plunging down a sheer cliff face to the ocean.

In the late afternoon, return to Porto Moniz and walk the Vereda do Pico down into the village just as the sun begins to lower. How do you reward your legs after all that hiking? By walking straight off the trail and spending the evening floating in the mineral-rich natural pools of Porto Moniz.

The next morning, if you want a change of scenery, take a breezy 10-minute drive east to lay your towel on the warm, powdery volcanic sand of seixal beach. This is the perfectly balanced rhythm that only the North Coast can offer.

---

Stop Commuting. Start Living the Island Life.

Attempting to chase hidden trails, viewpoints, and raw nature from a massive hotel in the crowded southern resort zones is an exhausting logistical nightmare. You spend your precious vacation days acting as a rally driver, constantly fighting traffic and racing the dark.

You deserve a vacation that prioritizes peace, nature, and true freedom.

When you make Porto Moniz your home base, the island’s most authentic and dramatic landscapes are right in your backyard. You can effortlessly wake up, hike historic trails with sweeping ocean views, and still be back in your village in time for a fresh local seafood dinner.

Trade the exhausting highway commutes for profound, authentic island immersion. Base yourself where the true soul of Madeira still thrives.

Embrace the rhythm of the wild North Coast. Explore our beautifully designed, fully equipped local homes and book your unforgettable stay at The Jolie today at www.thejolie.pt.

Trail map