OpenMadeira
Tell me about the Rota do Pico do Espigão hike in Madeira
💭 Thinking
The user is asking about the "Rota do Pico do Espigão" hike in Madeira. Let me search for this trail using the find_hikes tool.The search returned 0 results for "Rota do Pico do Espigão" as an official PR trail. Let me try a broader search - maybe it's known by a different name or it's a community trail. Let me also try searching with just "Espigão" or as a community trail near the relevantarea.The user asked about "Rota do Pico do Espigão" in Madeira. From the search results, I found it in the community_trails list — it's NOT an official IFCN PR trail, but a community route mapped on AllTrails located on Porto Santo island. Let me present the details from the data returned. Key details: - Name: Rota do Pico do Espigão - It's a community/unofficial route — NOT part of Madeira's official PR trail network managed by IFCN - Location: Porto Santo island (not Madeira island itself) - Rating: 4.5★ from 17 reviews on AllTrails - Difficulty: Moderate - Length: 8.7 km - Route type: Loop - No estimated time given in the data - No official open/closed status - Description: "Route with a circular route through nature to the north of the village of Ponta on the island of Porto Santo, a paradisiacal place appreciated by local holidaymakers and visitors. Recommended route for walking. Enjoy this beautiful territory created as a result of volcanic activity where nature and human beings coexist harmoniously. Pico do Espigão presents itself with a magnificent and imposing lode of rock of intermediate composition, mugearite, with about 12.7 to 12.5 Ma, which crossed outcrops of basaltic slag." - Coordinates: 33.03753, -16.36084 - Directions URL available - AllTrails URL available I should present this clearly, noting it's on Porto Santo (not Madeira island), it's unofficial, and give the details from the data. Let me also find a video of the trail.
How this was derived · 2 steps
Trails near Pico do EspigãoMap & photos
6 photos
Levada do Pico CasteloLevada do Pico CasteloLevada do Pico CasteloLevada do Pico CasteloLevada do Pico CasteloLevada do Pico Castelo
Official PR trail (IFCN) Community route (AllTrails — not official)
Photos: walkmeguide.com · green = official IFCN PR trail · amber = community route (AllTrails)

Here's what you need to know about the Rota do Pico do Espigão:

⚠️ Important: This is NOT an official PR trail

The Rota do Pico do Espigão is a community route mapped on AllTrails — it is not part of Madeira's official PR (Percurso Recomendado) trail network managed by IFCN (the regional government's forests and nature-conservation authority). That means it has no official open/closed status, no maintained signage, and no guarantee of trail conditions. Check access and conditions locally before heading out.


Trail Overview
LocationPorto Santo island (north of the village of Ponta)
Route typeLoop (circular)
Distance8.7 km
DifficultyModerate
Rating4.5★ from 17 hiker reviews on AllTrails

What makes it special

This circular route takes you through nature north of the village of Ponta on Porto Santo — a peaceful corner of the island appreciated by both locals and visitors. The trail showcases Porto Santo's volcanic origins, where nature and human presence coexist harmoniously.

The highlight is Pico do Espigão itself: a magnificent, imposing rock formation (a mugearite lode of intermediate volcanic composition), approximately 12.5–12.7 million years old, cutting through basaltic slag outcrops — a privileged geological observation point with sweeping views over the island.


Getting there

Directions to the trailhead ↗ — this will route you from your current location.


Nearby official PR trails on Porto Santo

If you'd prefer an official, signposted trail with a managed status, Porto Santo has three:

TrailDistanceDifficultyAccess fee
PR 1 – Vereda do Pico Branco e Terra Chã2.7 km (one way)Moderate€4.50 (≤12 free)
PR 2 – Vereda do Pico do Castelo3.2–4.6 kmEasy€4.50 (≤12 free)
PR 3 – Levada do Pico Castelo4.1 kmModerate€4.50 (≤12 free)

The official trails require a small access fee via the SIMplifica portal.


Would you like me to check the weather forecast for Porto Santo before you go, or help you find how to get there by bus?

OpenMadeira can make mistakes — check the sources.