💭 Thinking
How this was derived · 2 steps
- Pico das Roçadas Trail 4.4 Directions
Here's what I found about the Caniçal – Pico das Roçadas walk:
This route 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's a community route mapped on AllTrails — meaning it has no official open/closed status and no guaranteed maintenance or signage. Check conditions locally before setting out.
The walk most people mean by "Caniçal – Pico das Roçadas" is the out-and-back route along the Levada do Caniçal up to Pico das Roçadas and onwards to Boca do Risco:
- 🥾 Distance: 8.9 km (out and back)
- ⏱ Estimated time: 3.5–4 hours
- ⚡ Difficulty: Hard
- 🔄 Route type: Out and back (linear)
- 📍 Start/End: Caniçal village (parish of Machico municipality)
- ⭐ Rating: 4.5★ from 49 hiker reviews on AllTrails
What to expect: You set out from the village of Caniçal and follow a section of the beautiful Levada do Caniçal, with sweeping views over Machico and the Atlantic. The path then climbs up to Boca do Risco, where a viewpoint offers stunning vistas of the island's north coast. The terrain is rocky and exposed in places — proper footwear and caution are essential.
Several community routes explore the same Caniçal / Boca do Risco / Pico das Roçadas area — here are the three most popular:
| Route | Distance | Difficulty | Type | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vereda Boca do Risco/Caniçal – Pico das Roçadas – Levada do Caniçal | 6.9 km | Moderate | Loop | 4.4★ (581 reviews) |
| Pico das Roçadas Trail | 3.9 km | Moderate | Loop | 4.4★ (119 reviews) |
| Pico Castanho – Pico das Roçadas – Túnel do Caniçal | 9.7 km | Hard | Loop | 4.4★ (37 reviews) |
All of these are community routes on AllTrails — not official IFCN PR trails — so the same caveats apply: no official status, no guaranteed signage, and check conditions locally.
- 🏔️ The area is within Madeira Natural Park — coastal cliffs with dramatic views of both the south and north coasts.
- 💧 Carry enough water — the route is quite exposed with little shade.
- 👟 Proper hiking boots are a must; the terrain is rocky and uneven in sections.
- 🔴 Because this is an unofficial route, there's no official open/closed status — ask locals or check AllTrails for recent trip reports on current conditions.
Would you like me to check the mountain weather forecast and IPMA warnings for the day you're planning to go, or look at how to get to Caniçal by bus?