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Tell me about the PR 1.3 Vereda da Encumeada hike in Madeira
💭 Thinking
The user is asking about the PR 1.3 Vereda da Encumeada hike in Madeira. Let me look this up using the find_hikes tool.The find_hikes tool returned 0 results for "PR 1.3 Vereda da Encumeada". Let me try a broader search, maybe with just "Encumeada" or "PR 1.3".I found the PR 1.3 Vereda da Encumeada trail. Let me extract the key details: - **PR code:** PR 1.3 - **Name:** Vereda da Encumeada - **Route:** Pico Ruivo – Encumeada - **Distance:** 11.2 km - **Difficulty:** Moderate - **Duration:** 5 hours - **Start point:** Casa de Abrigo do Pico Ruivo - **End point:** Encumeada - **Max altitude:** 1,764 m - **Min altitude:** 1,009 m - **Access fee:** €4.50 for visitors > 12 years; exempt for visitors ≤ 12 years (via SIMplifica portal) - **Managing entity:** IFCN - **No AllTrails rating** in this result - **Detail URL:** https://visitmadeira.com/en/what-to-do/nature-seekers/activities/hiking/pr-13-vereda-da-encumeada/ - **Directions URL:** https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=32.760214,-16.943376 The note says not to state any open/closed/restricted status because it's deliberately omitted for an evergreen page. The status field is empty. I should tell the reader to check the current trail status on OpenMadeira before setting out. Let me also get a video of the trail for a richer answer, and check terrain for context.I found the trail PR 1.3 Vereda da Encumeada in the results. Let me compile the information: - PR Code: PR 1.3 - Name: Vereda da Encumeada - Route: Pico Ruivo – Encumeada - Distance: 11.2 km - Difficulty: Moderate - Duration: 5 hours - Start point: Casa de Abrigo do Pico Ruivo - End point: Encumeada - Max altitude: 1,764 m - Min altitude: 1,009 m - Access fee: €4.50 for visitors > 12 years; exempt for visitors ≤ 12 years (via SIMplifica portal) - Managing entity: IFCN - Detail URL: https://visitmadeira.com/en/what-to-do/nature-seekers/activities/hiking/pr-13-vereda-da-encumeada/ - Directions URL: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=32.760214,-16.943376 There's no AllTrails rating for this trail (no alltrails object in the result). The status field is empty, which means I should tell the user to check the current status. There's also a YouTube video linked (youtube_id: yxZ5CEq-gHM) and photos from walkmeguide.com. Let me present this nicely. The question was in English, so I'll answer in English. I notice the note says "Do NOT state any open/closed/restricted status — it is DELIBERATELY omitted here" and "Tell the reader to check the CURRENT trail status on OpenMadeira (openmadeira.org) before setting out." So I should not state a status and instead direct them to check.
How this was derived · 4 steps
TrailsMap & photos
Vereda da Encumeada6 photos
Vereda da EncumeadaVereda da EncumeadaVereda da EncumeadaVereda da EncumeadaVereda da EncumeadaVereda da Encumeada
Photos: walkmeguide.com ↗
Official PR trail (IFCN) Community route (AllTrails — not official)
Photos: walkmeguide.com · green = official IFCN PR trail · amber = community route (AllTrails)
PR 1.3 — Vereda da Encumeada

Route: Pico Ruivo → Encumeada
Distance: 11.2 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: ~5 hours
Altitude: 1,009 m (min) – 1,764 m (max)
Start point: Casa de Abrigo do Pico Ruivo
End point: Encumeada
Managed by: IFCN (Madeira's forests & nature-conservation authority)

About the trail

Vereda da Encumeada is a stunning ridge-walk along the spine of Madeira's central mountain range, starting at the shelter hut below Pico Ruivo (the island's highest peak at 1,862 m) and finishing at the Encumeada pass. At 11.2 km and roughly 5 hours, it's one of the longer PR trails — rated moderate, but with serious altitude (you're above 1,000 m pretty much the entire way) and exposure in places.

The route traverses dramatic peaks and valleys, with panoramic views stretching across both the north and south coasts on clear days. The terrain mixes narrow ridgeline paths with sections of forest and rock, making it one of the most scenically rewarding hikes on the island. It can be combined with PR 1.2 (Vereda do Pico Ruivo) or accessed via PR 1.1 from Achada do Teixeira to form a longer day.

Access fee

This trail requires paid access via the SIMplifica portal:

  • €4.50 — visitors > 12 years
  • Free — visitors ≤ 12 years
Getting there
  • Trailhead (Casa de Abrigo do Pico Ruivo): Directions ↗
  • End point (Encumeada): accessible by road; organised transport or taxi recommended for the return.
Trail status

⚠️ Trail conditions change — check the current open/closed/restricted status before setting out on OpenMadeira or the IFCN site.

Source: VisitMadeira · Photos: walkmeguide.com

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