Pico Grande Hidden Loop

Overview Most people who visit Madeira’s mountains eventually hear about Pico Grande. And lately, even more hikers have started coming here. As the PR1 became increasingly overcrowded, many people began searching for alternatives, and Pico Grande slowly transformed from a local mountain hike into one of the island’s new must-do adventures. But what most people still don’t realize is that the real magic of this area doesn’t lie on the standard routes. It lies on the old Veredas. Forgotten mountain paths that once connected valleys, shepherds, villages, and remote farming areas long before roads existed on Madeira. This loop from Curral das Freiras combines exactly that. Dramatic mountain scenery, historical paths, hidden traverses, authentic Madeira landscapes, and long stretches where you feel completely alone again. For us, this is one of the most beautiful mountain loops on the island. Not because it’s the highest. But because it still feels real. Curral das Freiras – Madeira’s Hidden Mountain World The hike begins in Curral das Freiras, one of the most fascinating villages on Madeira, at the Restaurant O Lagar Antiguades. Hidden deep between enormous mountain walls, the village feels isolated even today. Centuries ago, it was almost unreachable. Its name, Valley of the Nuns, comes from the Santa Clara nuns who fled here in 1566 during pirate attacks on Funchal. Protected by the surrounding peaks, Curral became a natural refuge hidden in Madeira’s interior. And standing there early in the morning, surrounded by steep ridges and clouds moving through the valley, you immediately understand why. The route starts near Restaurante O Lagar Antiguidades before climbing steeply upward through the mountain slopes above Curral. Climbing Through Madeira’s Ancient Mountain Terrain The first section already feels different from most official hiking trails. You quickly notice old stone structures, ancient path sections, narrow traverses, and terrain shaped by generations of movement through the mountains. These were never built as tourist trails. They were infrastructure. For centuries, Madeira’s mountain communities relied on paths like these. Shepherds moving goats and sheep, farmers reaching isolated terraces, and locals connecting valleys entirely on foot. And many of those old connections still survive today. The higher you climb, the more dramatic the landscape becomes. Curral das Freiras slowly disappears beneath you while Madeira’s central massif opens up in every direction. Pico Grande – Madeira’s New Alternative to PR1 As the route approaches Pico Grande, the scenery becomes increasingly alpine. Massive ridges rise around you, clouds move through deep valleys, and sharp mountain silhouettes dominate the horizon. At 1655 meters, Pico Grande is one of Madeira’s most impressive peaks. For years, it remained relatively quiet compared to Pico Ruivo or Pico do Arieiro. But that changed. As social media and overcrowding transformed the PR1, more hikers started discovering Pico Grande as an alternative. And honestly, we understand why. The views are incredible. The Only Busy Section of the Entire Loop Eventually, the route reaches the crossing below Pico Grande near Boca do Cerro. For the first time during the hike, you’ll usually encounter more people here. On sunny days, this section can become surprisingly busy for about 15 minutes as hikers move between Pico Grande, Boca da Corrida, and the surrounding mountain routes. Most of them are simply looking for an alternative to the PR1 crowds. But this is where our route changes completely. Vereda dos Currais – Leaving the Crowds Behind While most hikers continue toward the standard routes, we take a small turn onto the Vereda dos Currais. And within minutes, everything changes. The noise disappears. The groups vanish. The mountain becomes silent again. The Vereda dos Currais is one of Madeira’s old mountain connections, historically used by shepherds and locals moving through the high terrain beneath Pico Grande. The name itself comes from Currais, meaning animal enclosures or mountain corrals, which were once common throughout this region. And once you walk this path, you immediately feel its history. This is not a modern hiking trail built for convenience. It follows the logic of the mountain itself. Narrow traverses, steep natural terrain, ancient stonework hidden beneath vegetation, and exposed sections connecting remote ridges. This is the kind of Madeira we love. Wild, historical, and completely different from the standard tourist experience. Pico Jorge – One of Madeira’s Most Underrated Mountain Areas The route continues beneath Pico Grande toward Pico Jorge. Very few hikers come here, even though the scenery is absolutely unreal. You constantly move between deep valleys, sharp mountain ridges, changing cloud formations, and panoramic views across Madeira’s central mountains. The atmosphere feels remote and untouched. There are moments where the landscape almost feels prehistoric. Raw terrain shaped by volcanic forces and centuries of isolation. And despite being relatively close to popular mountain areas, you often won’t see another person for long stretches. Boca das Torrinhas – A Historic Mountain Crossing Eventually, the route reaches Boca das Torrinhas, one of Madeira’s historical mountain crossings. Long before roads connected the island, areas like this were essential transition points through the mountains. Old Veredas linked Curral das Freiras with remote northern and central regions of Madeira through steep ridges and exposed valleys. Some of these ancient connections still survive today. And walking them gives you a completely different understanding of the island. Not just as a hiking destination but as a place where people once moved through impossible terrain as part of everyday life. The Descent Back to Curral das Freiras From Boca das Torrinhas, the trail descends back toward Curral das Freiras via the Vereda do Capitão. The views constantly change. Steep mountain walls, hidden valleys, layered ridges fading into the distance, and clouds flowing through the landscape. It’s one of those descents where you stop again and again just to look back. And by the time you return to Curral das Freiras, it feels like you’ve crossed an entirely different side of Madeira. Why This Loop Is So Special What makes this hike unique is the contrast. You experience one of Madeira’s famous mountain areas but also forgotten historical paths, short busy sections followed by complete solitude again. It combines history, scenery, adventure, and authenticity in a way that very few hikes on Madeira still do. Important Notes for This Hike This is not a beginner hike. You should have mountain hiking experience, feel comfortable on exposed terrain, and be prepared for changing weather conditions. The route includes steep climbs, narrow mountain traverses, long distances, and significant elevation gain. Even though large parts are manageable for experienced hikers, this is still a serious mountain route. Madeira Unlocked & Our Approach This is exactly the type of hike we love sharing together with Madeira Unlocked. Not PR content. Not overcrowded tourist routes. Not manufactured experiences. Just real Madeira. Historical Veredas, forgotten mountain paths, and landscapes that still feel authentic. Many of these old routes are slowly disappearing, and documenting them responsibly has become something we deeply care about. Want More? Hike With Us – Madeira Hiking At Madeira Hiking, we explore far beyond the standard routes. We guide hidden mountain traverses, forgotten Veredas, remote valleys, historical crossings, and authentic off-the-beaten-path experiences. Some hikes are scenic and accessible. Others become true adventures. But all of them share one thing. They show a side of Madeira most visitors never experience. If you want to discover the island beyond the obvious, we’d love to show you. Final Thought The mountains around Curral das Freiras are the heart of Madeira. Ancient. Wild. Steep. Untamed. And following the Vereda dos Currais beneath Pico Grande feels less like a normal hike and more like stepping into Madeira’s forgotten mountain history. If you prefer not to go alone, you can also book these hikes as guided tours with Madeira Hiking via the website link. With Madeira Unlocked, you’ll even get 30% off.