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How this was derived · 2 steps
- Levada do Rei Directions
- Ponta de São Jorge via Ramal do Caminho Real 23 Directions
This trail is a community route mapped on AllTrails — it is not part of Madeira's official PR (Percurso Recomendado) trail network managed by IFCN (the regional government's forests and nature-conservation authority). It therefore has no official open/closed status and no maintenance or signage guarantee; check access and conditions locally before going.
| Difficulty | Hard |
| Distance | 9.2 km (out and back) |
| Estimated time | 4 – 4.5 hours |
| Route type | Out and back |
| Location | São Jorge, municipality of Santana, north coast |
| Community rating | 4.5★ from 145 hiker reviews on AllTrails |
The route follows the historic Caminho Real nº 23 (Royal Path) — one of the old roads built after Madeira's settlement to connect villages and ports for the transport of people and goods. It runs along coastal paths in the São Jorge area with several highlights:
- Natural viewpoints along the dramatic north-coast cliffs
- The typical thatched-roof houses of Santana (casinhas de Santana)
- Lagoa do Calhau de São Jorge, a coastal lagoon
- The ruins of São Jorge (the route's main destination)
⚠️ The description warns of challenging and exposed sections, especially at higher altitude, and that final access to the ruins may be restricted or forbidden — respect any signs and barriers you encounter.
Two other community routes cover sections of the same Caminho Real network:
| Trail | Distance | Difficulty | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ponta de São Jorge via Ramal do Caminho Real 23 | 2.7 km · out & back | Moderate | 4.1★ (123 reviews) | Shorter branch to the tip of São Jorge, past an old lighthouse |
| Santana – Ponta de São Jorge – Ramal do Caminho Real №23 | 6.9 km · loop | Hard | 4.3★ (66 reviews) | Loop from Santana; has a challenging section with broken walkways near cliffs |
All three share the same important caveat: they are community-mapped routes, not official IFCN trails — no official status, no guaranteed maintenance, and no official open/closed information.
The nearest official trailhead is PR 18 Levada do Rei (~2.5 km / 7 min drive from São Jorge), if you'd like to combine this with a regulated walk.
Would you like me to check the mountain weather forecast and any IPMA warnings for the day you're planning to go? Given the exposed, cliff-side sections, that's worth doing before setting out.