Encumeada to Paul da Serra

The high mountain road climbing from the Encumeada pass onto Madeira’s Paul da Serra plateau, with the Lombo do Mouro hairpin and Bica da Cana viewpoint.

Starting at the Boca da Encumeada pass between Madeira’s north and south slopes, this road climbs steeply onto the Paul da Serra, the island’s high, windswept plateau. The standout is the Lombo do Mouro double hairpin, where you can pull over and look back down the green valleys, before the road levels out toward the Bica da Cana viewpoint with its view to Pico Ruivo and Pico do Arieiro on a clear day. Cloud often pours over the ridge, dropping visibility within minutes, and the plateau can be wet and exposed while the coast below is sunny. Mind fast-moving cloud cutting visibility on the climb, exposed wet and windy plateau sections, and stray cattle on the open upland.