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Vereda do Pico Branco (Porto Santo)
Vereda do Pico Branco (Porto Santo): walk in Porto Santo
Vereda do Pico Branco (Porto Santo) is a 6 km out-and-back walk in Porto Santo, rated moderate. It climbs about 350 m in total and takes about 2.5 hours to walk.
Climb Porto Santo's highest peak (450 m) through the only patch of indigenous forest left on the island.
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Route line (GPX)
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A 2.8 km route line for your watch, phone or GPS. It is the mapped line of the trail, not a track we recorded ourselves, so treat it as guidance and follow the signs and closures on the ground.
The line covers the route one way; on an out-and-back walk you return along the same path.
Download the GPX fileRoute data © OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the ODbL. This file is published under the same licence. Source.
About Vereda do Pico Branco (Porto Santo)
Vereda do Pico Branco (Porto Santo) sits in Porto Santo and is a moderately demanding hike, good fitness helps but no technical skills required. Over its 6 km point-to-point route, Vereda do Pico Branco (Porto Santo) climbs around 350 m of cumulative gain. Most walkers take between 2 and 4 hours, depending on pace and how often they stop for photos.
It packs a lot of variety into a relatively short distance, which is why it stays busy through the season. The route is part of Madeira's signed network of official PR ("Pequena Rota") trails. It sits outside the official PR network, so it is less obviously waymarked, bring a downloaded map and treat the route description as your primary source.
What to know before you go
- Wear proper hiking shoes with grip, basalt gets slippery when damp, and most levada paths have a drop on one side.
- Pack two litres of water per person, there are no refill points on the route, and a light fleece for the ridge wind.
- A small head torch is useful in case the route enters any tunnel section.
- Mid-morning is fine, but earlier starts mean clearer views and emptier paths.
- Check the official 'Estado dos Trilhos' status before you go, trails close after storms or rockfalls.
Best time to visit
May, June, September and early October combine long daylight, stable weather and lower trail traffic. Winter is fine for the lower levadas but unreliable on the high ridges.
Location
Porto Santo, Madeira · Open in OpenStreetMap · Google Maps
33.09500, -16.29560
Conditions log
Dated, first-person notes from people who recently walked Vereda do Pico Branco (Porto Santo).
No verified reports yet for this trail. We only publish entries we can stand behind, dated, first-person, and signed. If you've walked it in the last few weeks, use the form above and we'll add it here with credit.
Visitor reviews
Honest first-person notes from people who have actually been to Vereda do Pico Branco (Porto Santo). Reviews are moderated before they appear, no account needed.
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Frequently asked
How long does the Vereda do Pico Branco (Porto Santo) hike take?
Most hikers complete Vereda do Pico Branco (Porto Santo) in around 2.5 hours, though slower paces or photo stops can push it to 4 hours. The route is 6 km long with about 350 m of elevation gain.
Is Vereda do Pico Branco (Porto Santo) suitable for beginners?
Vereda do Pico Branco (Porto Santo) is rated moderate. Beginners with reasonable fitness can complete it, but expect uneven ground, some exposed sections and a few hours on your feet.
Do I need a guide for Vereda do Pico Branco (Porto Santo)?
No, Vereda do Pico Branco (Porto Santo) is a signed official trail and most fit hikers walk it independently. Local guides are widely available if you prefer transport, route certainty, or commentary on the landscape.
Plan around Vereda do Pico Branco (Porto Santo)
The nearest town, viewpoint and walk: the three things most visitors pair with Vereda do Pico Branco (Porto Santo) in a day.
Nearby on Porto Santo
Other places within easy reach of Vereda do Pico Branco (Porto Santo).
Plan the rest of your trip
The four guides most first-time visitors reach for.
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