💭 Thinking
How this was derived · 4 steps
- PR1 PS- Terra Chã e Vereda do Pico Branco 4.8 Directions
Based on my search, I want to be upfront: I couldn't find an official or community trail that exactly matches the combined name "Seixal – Vereda da Terra Chã – Vereda do Fanal" as a single route. However, I can tell you about the two parts this likely refers to — and the official trail you'll actually be hiking:
This is the official IFCN trail in the area you're asking about:
| Trail | PR 13 – Vereda do Fanal |
| Route | Paul da Serra (E.R. 209 Assobiadores) → Fanal (E.R. 209) |
| Distance | 10.8 km |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Duration | ~4 hours |
| Altitude | 1,130 m – 1,420 m |
| Managed by | IFCN |
| Access fee | €4.50 (via SIMplifica — visitors > 12 years; ≤ 12 years free) |
The trail crosses the Fanal area — a classified Reserva de Silêncio e Repouso (Rest and Silence Reserve) within the Madeira Nature Park, famous for its ancient laurissilva forest, twisting laurel trees often draped in fog, and stunning Atlantic views. It's one of Madeira's most atmospheric walks.
⭐ 4.4 from 556 hiker reviews on AllTrails
Be sure to check the current trail status before setting out, as conditions can change.
There is no official PR trail called "Vereda da Terra Chã" on Madeira island. The name "Terra Chã" in our trail data belongs to a different trail entirely:
- PR 1 PS – Terra Chã e Vereda do Pico Branco is on Porto Santo island (not Madeira), rated 4.8★ on AllTrails — a family-friendly out-and-back to Porto Santo's second-highest peak.
What hikers sometimes call "Terra Chã" near Seixal refers to the high plateau area between Seixal on the north coast and Paul da Serra, which can be accessed via unofficial community routes. These are not part of Madeira's official PR trail network managed by IFCN, so they carry no official open/closed status and no maintenance or signage guarantee.
A few AllTrails community routes start from Seixal and explore the Chão da Ribeira valley toward the high ground — these are not official IFCN PR trails:
| Route | Difficulty | Length | Rating | AllTrails |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seixal – Chão da Ribeira – Ribeira do Seixal | Moderate | 10.8 km | 4.3★ (56 reviews) | Link ↗ |
| Lombo Barbinhas – Levada do Seixal – Vereda das Feitas | Hard | 7.4 km | 4.1★ (156 reviews) | Link ↗ |
⚠️ Community routes mapped on AllTrails — not part of the official PR trail network managed by IFCN. They have no official open/closed status; check access and conditions locally before going.
If you're planning to hike in the Seixal → Fanal area:
- The official, marked and maintained trail is PR 13 Vereda do Fanal — start at E.R. 209 (Assobiadores, Paul da Serra side) and walk to Fanal.
- A Seixal → Terra Chã → Fanal link-up is an unofficial combination that some hikers piece together, but it's not an official PR trail and isn't signed or maintained as a single route. If you go this way, carry GPS/AllTrails, be prepared for sections without signage, and check locally for current conditions.
Would you like me to check the mountain weather forecast and IPMA warnings for the day you're planning to go — that's the key safety call before any hike in this area?