Pico Ruivo Do Paul walking and hiking route

Walk Instructions

High on the Paul da Serra plateau, the partly circuitous ascent of the Pico Ruivo do Paul provides a short walk which will have very wide appeal. The actual ascent to the summit is on a path, quite steep in places, but with an ascent which amounts to less than 500ft. and has no hazards or exposed places. The remainder of the walk is a gentle stroll, predominantly across moorland, with bracken, gorse and broom.

Start - Find a tiny levada by the car parking area to the west of the minor road. Follow the path by the side of this watercourse towards the obvious summit of the mountain. Twice cross over an earth roadway and continue, heading for a pine wood. Follow the levada through the woodland, crossing another earth roadway and passing a picnic area. At the far end of the wood pass the tiny spring which is the levada’s water source. Cross a ditch to find an almost hidden path on the far side to commence the steep ascent along a path through the bracken to the summit, clearly marked by a trig point. The views from the summit are quite staggering - part of the north coast, only 4 miles away, the deep valley containing Sao Vicente, the mighty central peaks and most of the Paul da Serra plateau.

1. Set off back by turning right (east) at the trig point, initially following the line of a rudimentary fence, soon descending towards an obvious junction of tracks at a saddle, below. There are several variations of the path but all lead to the same place. At the saddle turn right to follow a broad earth roadway, descending gently. Alternatively go straight on slightly ascending on an obvious grass track before descending through another wood to emerge beside Estanguinlost’s Posto Florestal. Turn right and walk down the tarmac road.

2. At a junction with another earth roadway turn right, soon back into the pine wood, reaching the little levada close to the picnic area. Turn left to retrace the outward route back to the car park.

Disclaimer: This route was correct at time of writing. However, alterations can happen if development or boundary changes occur, and there is no guarantee of permanent access. These walks have been published for use by site visitors on the understanding that neither HPB Management Limited nor any other person connected with Holiday Property Bond is responsible for the safety or wellbeing of those following the routes as described. It is walkers' own responsibility to be adequately prepared and equipped for the ‎level of walk and the weather conditions and to assess the safety and accessibility of the walk.