The route PR17 Caminho do Pinaculo e Folhadal Hiking Trail with a 14km extension follows the levadas of Serra and Norte for 6:30 pm between a thousand and 1,600 meters. It offers lovely views over São Vicente Valley and through the laurel forest. The trail starts next to regionl road ER 110, the rise in Encumeada to Paul da Serra (Lombo do Mouro) and ends at Encumeada.
During this route will be able observe an area of ??natural vegetation, both altitude – Altitude Urzal as Laurel Forest, an area that belongs to the Natura 2000 network Walking the Levada we can find a vegetation rich in endemic plants, such as the Sierra Orchid, the ranunculus (Ranunculus cortusifolius), the Mandon (Argyranthemum pinnatifidum) and Geranium (Geranium palmatum).
Along the route you observe a magnificent landscape of the Sao Vicente valley. The path follows along the Levada and will have to go through some tunnels. At some points the walker stops to keep going to the stone pathway. At the top in the Pinnacle area we have a magnificent landscape views over Ribeira Brava valley and in the background the Cordillera Central (Pico Ruivo – 1861m and Pico do Areeiro – 1817m).
At one point taken is divided into two branches, then going to go to the terrace of Levada do Norte, whose destination is the hydroelectric generating plant at Serra d’Água. In this area the waterfalls and tunnels are found, the walker after crossing the last tunnel will reach the area of ??Folhadal name given because of the existence of a large number of puffs (Clethra arborea), tree species.
At the end of the course may access the route PR1.3 Vereda da Encumeada Hiking Trail which will provide access to Pico Ruivo.
Distance: 14 Km
Difficulty: Difficult
Time: 6.5 hours
Start/Finish: Lombo do Mouro / Encumeada
Highest point/Lowest point: 1620 m / 1000 m
Warning tips: Weather frequent changes, take warm clothes; Danger of Vertigo; Tunnels, carry a torch; Take drinking water;