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Tell me about the Rota da Vereda da Terra Chã hike in Madeira
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The user is asking about a specific hike in Madeira - "Rota da Vereda da Terra Chã". Let me search for this trail in the hikesdatabase.The find_hikes call returned 0 results for "Rota da Vereda da Terra Chã". This trail doesn't appear in the official IFCN PR trail database. Let me try a broader search - maybe the name is slightly different, or it might be in the community trails (AllTrails) database. Let me search with differentterms.The user is asking about "Rota da Vereda da Terra Chã" hike in Madeira. My search for this specific trail name returned no results in the official IFCN PR trail network, and the community trails near "Terra Chã" don't include a trail by that exact name either. Let me search more specifically for this trail.
How this was derived · 4 steps
TrailsMap & photos
Vereda do Pico Branco e Terra Chã6 photos
Vereda do Pico Branco e Terra ChãVereda do Pico Branco e Terra ChãVereda do Pico Branco e Terra ChãVereda do Pico Branco e Terra ChãVereda do Pico Branco e Terra ChãVereda do Pico Branco e Terra Chã
Photos: walkmeguide.com ↗
Official PR trail (IFCN) Community route (AllTrails — not official)
Photos: walkmeguide.com · green = official IFCN PR trail · amber = community route (AllTrails)

Here's everything about the Vereda do Pico Branco e Terra Chã — Porto Santo's most iconic hike:

PR 1 — Vereda do Pico Branco e Terra Chã

Island: Porto Santo
Managing authority: IFCN (Madeira's forests & nature-conservation authority)
Official route: ER 111 → Pico Branco → Terra Chã

Distance2.7 km one way (+ 2.7 km return)
DifficultyModerate
Duration~1 h 30 min
Start pointER 120
End pointTerra Chã
Max altitude450 m
Min altitude184 m
Access fee€4.50 per visitor (> 12 years); free for children ≤ 12, via the SIMplifica portal

⭐ 4.8 / 5 from 118 hiker reviews on AllTrails — one of Porto Santo's best-rated trails.

What to expect

This trail takes you from the roadside at ER 120 up through Porto Santo's distinctive dry landscape to Pico Branco (the island's second-highest peak at 450 m) and then continues along the ridge to the Terra Chã plateau. The reward is stunning panoramic views over the entire island and, on clear days, across to Madeira. The vegetation shifts as you climb — from low coastal scrub to rarer endemic species clinging to the rocky slopes near the summit.

The route is well-maintained and easy to follow — a great option for families with older children, though the climb and exposure near the top mean it's rated moderate overall.

Directions to the trailhead ↗

⚠️ Before you go
  • Check the current trail status on OpenMadeira before setting out — open/closed conditions can change.
  • The €4.50 access fee is payable via the SIMplifica portal — visitors over 12 pay; children 12 and under are exempt.
  • Bring sun protection and water — Porto Santo is much drier and more exposed than Madeira, and there's little shade on this trail.
  • Wear sturdy footwear — the path near the summit has rocky steps.

Photos from walkmeguide.com.

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