The Nuns Path is a walking route in the interior of Madeira, Portugal. It links the village of Curral das Freiras, on the valley floor, with the Eira do Serrado viewpoint on the rim above it. This end of the route is the lower trailhead, a flight of stairs at the edge of the village. From there the path climbs in cobbled switchbacks up the valley wall: about 70 minutes up and 50 minutes down at a comfortable pace. It is walked in both directions, and buses from Funchal serve both ends. From the top the view takes in the village, the valley floor and the peaks that ring it.
The Nuns Path
Nuns fled into this valley in 1566 to escape pirate raids on the coast, and the valley took its name from them.
- Accessibility
- Not wheelchair accessible: the lower end starts with stairs and the route climbs on cobbles.
- Parking
- Two car parks within 400 m of the lower trailhead; the further one is free. There is also a car park at the hotel at Eira do Serrado, at the top of the route.
- Difficulty
- Sustained climb on cobbles and rougher path, in switchbacks, with exposed sections and no guardrail: about 70 minutes up, 50 minutes down.
- Transport
- Bus 81 from the cable car station in Funchal; stops CAM Seara Velha 5A and 1A are 124 m and 152 m from the lower trailhead. Not every 81 calls at Eira do Serrado.
- Hours
- Open 24 hours.
What makes it special
This is the lower end of the route, on the valley floor at Curral das Freiras. The path leaves the village on small cobbles and climbs in switchbacks up the valley wall to the viewpoint at Eira do Serrado, where a hotel, a bar and a souvenir shop sit at the top of the drop. The climb takes about 70 minutes at a comfortable pace and about 50 minutes on the way back down; with photo stops, allow closer to an hour and a half. A couple of overlooks break the ascent. Higher up the cobbles give way to a rougher surface, but the line of the path is never in doubt. The village stands on the floor of a deep amphitheatre of peaks, and the walk shows you both the floor and the rim within two hours.
Good to know
- Walk up first. Start at the bottom in Curral das Freiras and climb. Taking the descent first leaves the hard climb for the hottest hours.
- Surface. The path starts on small cobbles and degrades higher up. It stays clear to follow, and it is slippery.
- Facilities. Public toilets are within 400 m of the lower end, and a drinking water fountain a little over 500 m away.
- At the top. Eira do Serrado has a hotel, a bar and a souvenir shop, plus a car park where the road dead-ends.
- Not the cliff road. The road that hugs the cliff face, visible from the viewpoint, is not part of the route.
Getting there
The lower trailhead is in Curral das Freiras, about 120 m from the nearest bus stop and within 400 m of car parking. From there the route begins as a flight of stairs and climbs in switchbacks to Eira do Serrado, about 70 minutes up and 50 minutes down at a comfortable pace. Drivers can also take it the other way round: the road to Eira do Serrado dead-ends in the hotel car park at the top, and the signposted path down starts at the right-hand end of the hotel, marked "Curral das Freiras" with a hiker symbol.
Best time to visit
Better: late morning, once the cloud has lifted off the valley — the clearing usually comes before 1pm.
Avoid: starting from the top on a hot afternoon, which leaves the climb out of the valley for the end of the day.
The view down into the valley is the reason to walk this path, and in cloud there is nothing to see from Eira do Serrado. The cobbles are slippery, more so in the wet.
Sun & daylight
Nearby Places
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The Nuns Path on the map
The path is steep and exposed in places, with no guardrail above the drop. The cobbles are slippery, and the surface gets rougher with height. Keep children close on the exposed sections.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does the walk take?
About 70 minutes up to Eira do Serrado and about 50 minutes back down at a comfortable pace. With stops for photographs the climb runs closer to an hour and a half. A round trip fits inside two hours.Is it better to start at the bottom or the top?
At the bottom, in Curral das Freiras. Climbing first and descending at the end is easier than the reverse, where the climb back out of the valley falls in the heat of the day.Can it be reached by public transport?
Yes. Bus 81 runs from the cable car station in Funchal to Curral das Freiras, and the stops in the village are about 120 m from the lower trailhead. Not every 81 calls at Eira do Serrado at the top, so check before boarding. Fares are paid in cash.How hard is the trail?
It is a well-built path with switchbacks and no route-finding, but the climb is sustained and steep. Some sections are exposed with no guardrail, and the cobbles are slippery.Is there anywhere to eat or buy anything?
At the top, Eira do Serrado has a hotel, a bar and a souvenir shop. At the bottom, Curral das Freiras has places for lunch and a shop or two.