The pedestrian route ‘PR 19 Caminho Real do Paul do Mar’ is now passable after intervention by the Regional Government, through the Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation, in collaboration with the Calheta City Council.
This route is located in the west of Madeira Island and connects the parishes of Prazeres and Paul do Mar, from 550 meters above sea level to the seafront, over a length of 1.8 km.
This trail constitutes an authentic historical heritage, called ‘municipality path or royal path’, being an example of the difficult access, which in the past were often traveled with heavy loads on their backs, as the only alternative to the sea connection, which was too expensive for many and impossible when the sea raged.
It should be remembered that the walking routes in the Autonomous Region of Madeira are located in areas subject to strong climatic pressure and consequent natural erosion, as well as rapid growth of weedy vegetation, which requires continuous maintenance and improvement work, in order to restore the best conditions of use and enjoyment.