💭 Thinking
How this was derived · 2 steps
- Levada do Rei 4.5 Directions
- Ponta de São Jorge via Ramal do Caminho Real 23 4.1 Directions
This is a community-mapped route on AllTrails — it is not part of Madeira's official PR trail network managed by IFCN (the regional government's forests and nature-conservation authority), so it has no official open/closed status and no guaranteed maintenance or signage. Check access and conditions locally before setting out.
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Distance | 2.7 km (out-and-back) |
| Estimated time | 1–1.5 hours |
| Route type | Out and back |
| Location | São Jorge, municipality of Santana, north coast of Madeira |
| Community rating | ★ 4.1 from 123 hiker reviews on AllTrails |
The route follows the Ramal do Caminho Real nº 23 — one of Madeira's historic Caminhos Reais (Royal Roads). These paths were built from the early settlement of the island and served as the main routes connecting villages to each other and to the ports, facilitating the transport of people and goods.
This particular royal path leads towards Ponta de São Jorge, a dramatic headland on the north coast, where you can observe the ruins of São Jorge — remains of old stone structures perched along the cliffside. The trail offers coastal views, natural viewpoints, and a sense of walking through Madeira's historical road network.
- No official status or maintenance — as a community route (not an IFCN PR trail), there are no official open/closed updates. Check locally before you go.
- Some sections near the ruins have been described as challenging and exposed, with old walkways that may be in disrepair. There's also a longer, harder loop variant (Santana – Ponta de São Jorge – Ramal do Caminho Real №23, 6.9 km, hard, 3–3.5 hr) that passes through areas with broken walkways and danger signs along cliff edges.
- Stick to signed paths and respect any barriers — the cliffside sections can be dangerous.
- Directions to the trailhead ↗ (São Jorge, Santana)
- The trailhead is roughly a 2.5 km / 7-minute drive from São Jorge village — very accessible if you have a car or taxi.
If you'd prefer an official, IFCN-managed trail in the same area, the closest is PR 18 – Levada do Rei (2.5 km / 7 min drive away) — a beautiful moderate 5.3 km walk through laurel forest to Ribeiro Bonito, rated ★ 4.5 from 1,654 reviews. It requires a €4.50 access fee (via the SIMplifica portal).
Want me to check the mountain weather forecast and IPMA warnings for the day you plan to hike, or look at how to get to São Jorge by bus?





