Curral Das Freiras – Mountain Valley, Hiking Trails and Chestnut Culture

Curral das Freiras lies in a deep valley resembling a volcanic crater. The mountainous landscape shapes the character of the place just as much as a historic network of footpaths that developed from centuries of connections with livestock farming and agriculture. These paths served self-sufficiency, trade and social relations with places beyond the central mountain massif. Anyone looking for a holiday apartment in Curral Das Freiras can use the planned hikes, viewpoints and cultural discoveries as a guide for planning their own trip.

Hiking Trails between Gorges and Laurisilva

For active days, Curral das Freiras offers several clearly distinguishable routes. Picos do Curral is a 10.13-kilometre circular trail. It starts and ends in Fajã dos Cardos and passes by Pico do Furão. The Pico Grande and Pico Jorge route can be started in Fajã Escura or Fajã dos Cardos. Its area lies within Madeira Natural Park and is classified as a Special Protection Area under the Birds Directive and as a Special Area of Conservation within the Natura 2000 network.

The PR 2 – Vereda do Urzal also begins in Fajã dos Cardos and is 10.6 kilometres long. It connects Madeira’s south and north coasts and passes through natural high-altitude vegetation and the UNESCO World Heritage laurel forest of Madeira. The Vereda da Boca das Torrinhas begins in Fajã dos Cardos and leads via the Vereda do Capitão to Boca das Torrinhas. Along the way, it passes through deep gorges and impressive rocky ravines that protect the headwaters of the Ribeira do Curral.

Another option is the hike from the centre of Curral das Freiras to the municipality of Boaventura. It is approximately 16 kilometres long and takes around 8 to 9 hours. These details should be taken into account when planning the day, especially if you are travelling with several people and different interests. The Roteiro das Voltas, on the other hand, follows an old Caminho Real and preserves evidence of life in the municipality before the arrival of the automobile. The Caminho Real da Encumeada – Fajã Escura also ends in Fajã Escura in Curral das Freiras.

Chestnuts, History and Special Experiences

Chestnuts play a central role in Curral das Freiras. The Festa da Castanha took place for the first time on 1 November 1983 and was Portugal’s first festival in honour of the chestnut. The festival includes an allegorical parade with more than 350 costumed participants and several floats. The parish festival Nossa Senhora do Livramento is celebrated on the last Sunday in August. Such dates give a trip a cultural focus, while the hiking trails offer a completely different way of experiencing the landscape.

The Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Livramento is also part of the historic profile of the place. It was built in the early years of the 19th century and is the only historical heritage site in Curral das Freiras. As early as 1566, Curral das Freiras served as a refuge for the nuns of the Convento de Santa Clara during the pirate attacks on Funchal. The Museu da Castanha da Madeira is located in a traditional house and conveys the history of the chestnut, including the tools needed to harvest it.

The local cuisine also takes up this theme. The restaurant Sabores do Curral uses chestnuts throughout its entire menu – from starters and drinks to dessert. In addition, Madeira Experiências Imersivas offers an activity that simulates a paragliding flight over waterfalls using a motion-seat installation. A second activity lets you follow a story through a virtual world and move around within it, using a backpack and headphones.

Putting Viewpoints and Excursions into Perspective

Nearby landmarks include the Miradouro da Eira do Serrado. It is located at an altitude of 1,095 metres and offers an unobstructed view over Curral das Freiras. The viewpoint can be reached via a footpath that begins beside the Estalagem da Eira do Serrado. The Miradouro da Boca dos Namorados offers a view over the valley of Curral das Freiras and access to a footpath leading to Curral das Freiras. The Miradouro do Paredão is located on the panoramic road connecting Curral das Freiras with Pico do Areeiro.

The Poço dos Chefes can also be specifically included in your plans: by car, it is around 10 minutes from the centre of Curral das Freiras; from there, a three-minute descent down stairs leads to the river. There is a natural pool surrounded by large rocks and imposing mountains.

More Destinations for Your Trip Planning

If you would like to compare Curral Das Freiras with other travel destinations, you can also include Caniço, Porto Santo, Vila Baleira, Calheta, Jardim Do Mar, Ponta Do Sol, Madeira and Arco De Sao Jorge in your selection.

For the higher-level travel overview: Madeira.