PR 3.1 — Caminho Real do Monte
Briefly
A historic descent that follows one of the ancient “Royal Paths” used to transport goods and people between the coast and the mountains. Starting from the Funchal Ecological Park, it winds down through pine and eucalyptus forests, ending at the iconic village of Monte. It is the perfect continuation of PR 3 for those who want to hike all the way from the peaks toward the outskirts of Funchal.
Basic information
Start: Montado do Pereiro (Ecological Park)
Finish: Monte (Funchal)
Distance: 4.2 km (one way)
Time: 1.5 – 2 hours
Elevation gain: ~650 m (descent)
Difficulty: Moderate
Entrance: €4.50
Parking: Montado do Pereiro (Start) or Monte (Finish)
Best season: All year round
How to find
The trail begins in the Montado do Pereiro area, specifically at the end of the PR 3 trail.
Open Montado do Pereiro on Google Maps
The finish is in the historic center of Monte, near the famous church (Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte) and the cable car station.
Important: Since the trail ends in Monte, you can easily take a public bus (lines 20, 21, 48) or the cable car back down to the center of Funchal.
What you need to bring:
Hiking shoes (the old stone pavement can be slippery when wet)
Trekking poles (to help with the steady downhill incline)
Water
Light jacket (the temperature rises as you descend toward the city)
Important to know:
Historical Pavement: Much of the trail is still covered with the original basalt cobblestones (pedra calcada). It is a walk through history but requires focus on your footing.
Reforestation: You will pass through areas that have been carefully replanted with native species after past forest fires, showing the resilience of Madeira’s nature.
The Reward: Arriving in Monte allows you to visit the Monte Palace Tropical Garden or take the famous “Toboggan” (basket sled) ride down to Funchal.
Combination: If you combine PR 3 and PR 3.1, you complete a total descent of over 11 km from Pico do Areeiro to Monte.
Reservations
Mandatory online registration is required.
Book: SIMplifica
Similar Trails you might like:
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PR 3 — Vereda do Burro: The upper section of this trail that starts from Pico do Areeiro.
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PR 4 — Levada do Barreiro: Located nearby in the Ecological Park, offering a flatter walk through the forest.
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Caminho do Comboio: A local walk following the old steam train route that once connected Funchal to Monte.
*Hiked this trail? Share your photos and current conditions in the comments! 