💭 Thinking
How this was derived · 3 steps
- Vereda das Funduras 3.9 Directions
- Vereda da Ponta de S. Lourenço 4.7 Directions
Based on my search through the official IFCN trail register and the wider AllTrails community catalogue, "Machico – Terreiros" is not an official Madeira PR trail — there's no PR-numbered route by that name managed by IFCN. Here's what I found instead:
Terreiros (or Chão dos Terreiros) is a high-altitude plateau and campsite at around 1,436 m in Madeira's central mountains, located above Jardim da Serra / Câmara de Lobos — not in Machico itself. It's best known as a waypoint on the MIUT (Madeira Island Ultra Trail) route and as a free camping refuge. The campsite has a water tap and barbecue area, but you need a permit from madeiracamping.com to stay overnight.
There are two common hiking routes to Terreiros, neither of which starts in Machico:
This is the classic short walk to Terreiros, starting at Boca da Corrida (Jardim da Serra viewpoint, ~1,220 m). You climb along a ridge to the Terreiros summit (1,436 m) and can loop back via Eira do Ribeiro (1,410 m).
- Distance: ~5.9 km (loop) · Elevation gain: ~271 m · Time: ~2–2.5 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate — the car does most of the climbing up to Boca da Corrida; the trail itself gains relatively little
- Highlights: Spectacular 360° ridge views from the summit; peaceful, uncrowded ridge path
- Not an official PR trail — no IFCN open/closed status, no timed ticket required, and no guaranteed signage. Follow painted arrows on rocks
- Described in detail in Paddy Dillon's Walking on Madeira (Cicerone), Walk 37
A longer circular route starting from Fontes, going around Pico da Cruz and through Chão dos Terreiros.
- Distance: ~10.5 km · Elevation gain: ~480 m · Time: ~3.5 hours · Difficulty: Moderate
- Community rating: 4.3★ (847 reviews on Komoot)
- Also not an official PR trail — same caveats on signage and maintenance
Some online references (especially MIUT ultra-trail reports) describe a Machico → Terreiros stage, but this combines multiple trails (Boca do Risco / Larano coastal path, then PR5 Vereda das Funduras or PR10 Levada do Furado, plus unmarked paths) into a ~20 km, 1,370 m+ mountain traverse. This is a serious undertaking and not a single waymarked trail — it's essentially a DIY route linking several official and unofficial paths.
If you're based in Machico and looking for a proper waymarked hike, here are the closest official PR trails:
| Trail | Distance | Difficulty | Start → End | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PR 5 Vereda das Funduras | 8.7 km | Moderate | Portela → Maroços | €4.50 |
| PR 8 Vereda da Ponta de S. Lourenço | 4 km (+ 4 km return) | Moderate | Baía d'Abra → Casa do Sardinha | €4.50 |
PR 5 (3.9★, 184 reviews on AllTrails) is especially nice if you're in the Machico area — it descends from the Portela viewpoint through laurel forest down to Maroços, with great views of Penha d'Águia.
Bottom line: If you want the Terreiros ridge walk, start from Boca da Corrida (a 30-min drive from Funchal), not Machico. And if you're after an official waymarked trail from Machico itself, go for PR 5 or PR 8.
Would you like me to check the trail status for PR 5 or PR 8, or look up how to get to Boca da Corrida by bus?





