Do you need to book the Caminho do Norte?

Yes. PR21 requires an advance booking and €4.50 payment through SIMplifica. Under-12s and residents are free but must still be named on the booking.

Levadinho · Madeira trail answers

Is the Caminho do Norte open today?

Q: Is the Caminho do Norte open today?

Today's status is shown live at the top of this page, updated each morning from official IFCN / Visit Madeira information. Caminho do Norte (PR21) is a paid, booking-only PR trail; access is €4.50 through the SIMplifica portal.

Caminho do Norte (PR21) — a paid, booking-only PR trail. Checked every morning against official IFCN status. See all Madeira trails · PR1.

Loading today's status for the Caminho do Norte… if it doesn't appear, check the official sources linked below.

Book it. PR21 on SIMplifica

Once it shows open, book your €4.50 slot on SIMplifica in advance. Under-12s and residents are free but must still be named on the booking. PR21 is paid on its own separate booking and not included in the multi-day passes — check the live status above before you pay.

Getting there. Start & finish

The Caminho do Norte starts and finishes at Encumeada, so you return the way you came — no return transport to arrange.

It's a long mountain drive from the coast, with no shop or reliable signal at most trailheads. Bring water, warm and waterproof layers, and a torch — the weather turns fast up high.

Closed or full? Your options

If IFCN closes PR21 (weather, landslip, works) or you can't get a slot: reschedule via the SIMplifica call centre before your date — you can move date/time freely, and switch trail only if yours was officially closed. For open alternatives, check the live board.

Before you go

Booking-only. Walking a paid PR trail without a valid SIMplifica ticket is an infraction, with fines reported up to €250.
It's out-and-back. Turn around with enough time and daylight to walk out the way you came.
Check the live badge the morning you go. Mountain trails close fast for weather, rockfall or works.