Encumeada - Encumeada

Encumeada is a pass at the top Madeira.

background

Encumeada is the top of the pass of the formerly central north-south connection between Madeira Ribeira Brava and Sao Vicente. Today the VE-1 expressway connects the two places in a gigantic tunnel under the saddle, and Encumeada is only on the one hand a lookout point over both coastlines or the starting point for a variety of hiking opportunities.

From here the ER-105 leads west over the high plateau Paúl da Serra to Porto Moniz.

getting there

In the street

The former main road ER-228 branches off from the south in Serra de Água off the expressway to shortly before north Sao Vicente to meet the same again.

By bus

The operator connects with line 6 Rodoeste the pass several times a day with the capital Funchal, Ribeira Brava and São Vicente. This is an accessible destination or terminus, especially for hikers without their own vehicle. Since spring 2020, the bus no longer drives up over the pass, but only through the tunnel. The top of the pass can only be reached by taxi.

Tourist Attractions

The top of the pass offers one unique look on the north coast and Sao Vicente as well as on the south coast and the valley of the Ribeira Brava.

2015: After the ascent - coming from Ribeira Brava - on the Encumeada pass, there is no further progress in 2015 due to falling rocks - that was also the case from 2014 to 2018 and can happen again in the future, larger work on the mountain has to be done more often and there is a risk of falling rocks. In 2019 the passages to Sao Vicente and to Paúl da Serra and Rabaçal free again.

activities

From or to here there are many hikes company unlike Rabaçal can be approached without your own vehicle:

• East the main ridge path over the Pico Ruivo to the Achada de Teixera or to the Pico de Arieiro.
• Southeast on the Caminho Real to Boca de Corrida and after Curral das Freiras
• Westward along the Levada do Norte ins Folhadal with particularly lush vegetation or along the Levadas do Rabacas. Their 2.5 km long tunnel direction Canhas and Cristo Rei with the option to extend until after Rabaçal is currently blocked.
• South along the Levada Lombo de Mouro to Ribeira Brava. To do this, however, you have to travel a good distance west on the ER 110, approx. 2 km. The entrance to Levada Lombo de Mouro to the south was extensively restored at the beginning of 2020, while the ascent towards Pinnaculo was still closed on the other side of the street.
• Heading north along ER-228 Sao Vicente there are always small parking spaces for hikers with the option of short hikes.

Traditionally, the end of July / beginning of August takes place Rally Vinho do Madeira instead, where the top of the pass is a spectacular main element. Depending on the setting, this can be seen as an attraction or as a warning to avoid the area during this time.

shop

At the pass there is a small snack bar with an attached souvenir shop and supplies of hiking provisions. Smaller shops in Serra de Água or Sao Vicente. There is a large supermarket at the exit from Ribeira Brava to the pass.

accommodation

please referPaúl da Serra

Web links

• Hiking and Travel report of the first author