The Institute of Forestry and Nature Conservation (IFCN) has closed pedestrian route Vereda da Encumeada (PR 1.3), between Pico Ruivo and Encumeada, due to a landslide and consequent collapse of the surrounding path. According to the IFCN no one is to walk along this route until further notice, and to be advised, that IFCN teams are currently securing, monitoring and cleaning the area.
In addition, the Vereda dos Balcões, between Ribeiro Frio – Balcões, (PR 11) has been closed since yesterday, for safety reasons.
The following Pedestrian Routes (PR) remain closed:
- PR 3 – Levada do Pico do Castelo
- PR 10 – Levada do Furado (Ribeiro Frio – Lamaceiros)
- PR 17 – Pináculo and Folhadal Path
- PR 20 – Vereda do Jardim do Mar
- PR 23 – Levada da Azenha
The IFCN warns that many of the island’s levadas are located in areas of extreme climatic variances, and that this, combined with natural erosion can create areas of instability. They further advise that all walkers, no matter where or when, exercise due care and attention when hiking along Madeira’s levada’s and walking routes.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
