Around Madeira

The IFCN has updated its list of open and closed walking routes and the main highlight is that the Vereda da Ilha (PR 1.1) and the Vereda do Pico Ruivo (PR 1.2) are once again open. Note, however, that the Vereda do Areeiro (PR 1) is still only open for 1.2km to the Pedra Rija viewpoint. Potential walkers should keep an eye on the weather as the access roads to Pico do Areeiro and Achada do Teixeira have recently (March 5th) been closed owing to forecast snow.  The following walking routes are closed throughout:     PR 1.3 Vereda da Encumeada     PR 4 Levada do Barreiro     PR 7 Levada do Moinho     PR 14 Levada dos Cedros     PR 19 Caminho real do Paul do Mar     PR 20 Vereda do Jardim do Mar     PR 23 Levada da Azenha     PR 27 Glaciar de Planalto     PR 28 Levada da Rocha Vermelha The following routes are partially open:     ...

Local newspapers are reporting the temporary closure of the Levada dos Cedros owing to landslips. The IFCN website hasn't yet been updated, so please keep an eye on the news outlets for further details.

Following the recent bad weather which closed all of the recommended walking routes, the IFCN has posted a new list of routes indicating which are open, partially open or closed. The following routes are definitively closed: PR 1.3 - Vereda da Encumeada PR 4 - Levada do Barreiro PR 7 - Levada do Moinho PR 12 - Caminho Real da Encumeada PR 19 - Caminho real do Paul do Mar PR 20 - Vereda do Jardim do Mar PR 23 - Levada da Azenha PR 27 - Glaciar do Planalto PR 28 - Levada da Rocha Vermelha The following routes are open only along part of their extent: PR 1 - Vereda do Areeiro PR 2 - Vereda do Urzal PR 9 - Levada do Caldeirão PR 17 - Caminho do Pináculo e Folhadal The details can be found on the IFCN website linked above.

Local press are reporting that the IFCN ( Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation) has advised that the recommended walking routes under its management will be closed on Monday, 20th January owing to forecast bad weather - that's all the walking routes with a PR designation. The closure may be extended depending on weather conditions. Please note that this is not simply advice, the closures have legal force. Please do not put yourself - or your potential rescuers - in unnecessary danger. Please note this closure announced for 20th January has been extended to 21st owing to continued bad weather, particularly at higher elevations

The rain has been wreaking havoc. No sooner was the landslip cleared on PR18 and the route reopened than PR9 had to be closed for similar reasons. Probably best to expect short notice closures in the current circumstances.

The IFCN has announced the closure of PR!8 (Levada do Rei) owing to a landslip. There has been no news so far of the likely duration.  In better news, the detour on PR10 (Levada do Furado) is now optional as the original route has been reinstated. The detour involved a greater height gain and so the walk is now more accessible, but the detour remains available for those who wish to use it.