800m – 1400m
Cloud Deck Zone (Mar de Nuvens)
800m to 1,400m. The trade-wind cloud deck sits here. Fog, drizzle, and near-zero visibility are common. Rabaçal and the upper levadas live in this band.
Trails
22
In this elevation band
Temperature
8°C – 16°C
Typical range
Wind
10–30 km/h
Gusts possible
Fog Risk
Extreme
Cloud immersion
Current conditions in this zone
16 hikeable6 caution
What defines this altitude band
- The northeast trade winds push moist air up the slopes, condensing at this altitude
- Thick mist and cloud can sit all day, especially October through March
- Temperature drops sharply compared to the coast: expect 8-10°C less
- Wet stone and muddy paths are normal, not the exception
- Rabaçal (1,050m) sits right in the densest part of the cloud deck
Vegetation: Upper Laurissilva transition, tree heath (Erica), mosses
Trails at 800–1400m
PR2
Curral das Freiras to Boaventura
1300m·10.3 km·5h
OPENPR3.1
Ribeira das Cales to Monte
1120m·5.5 km·2h
OPENPR6
Rabaçal to 25 Fountains
1290m·8.6 km·3.5h
RESTRICTEDPR6.1
Rabaçal to Cascata do Risco
1000m·6 km·1.5h
OPENPR6.2
Rabaçal to Dona Beja Spring
1300m·7 km·2h
OPENPR6.3
Rabaçal to Lagoa do Vento
1290m·3.6 km·2h
OPENPR7
Ribeira da Cruz to Lamaceiros (Porto Moniz)
850m·10.3 km·3.5h
OPENPR14
Fanal to Curral Falso
1130m·7.2 km·3h
OPENPR15
Curral Falso to Ribeira da Janela Sea
840m·2.7 km·1.5h
OPENPR9
Queimadas to Caldeirão Verde Waterfall
890m·13 km·5h
OPENPR9.1
Queimadas to Pico das Pedras
1020m·1.9 km·1h
OPENPR10
Ribeiro Frio to Portela
870m·11 km·4.5h
OPENPR11
Ribeiro Frio – Balcões (PR11)
870m·3 km·1h
OPENPR12
Boca da Corrida to Encumeada
1340m·12.5 km·5.5h
OPENPR21
Encumeada – Ribeira Grande
1007m·3.2 km·2h
OPENPR22
Chão dos Louros
860m·1.9 km·1h
OPENPR6.4
Pico Gordo to Casa do Rabaçal
1200m·5 km·2.5h
OPENPR6.6
Caldeira leisure zone to Casa do Rabaçal
1150m·2.3 km·1.5h
OPENPR6.7
Rabaçal to Túnel do Cavalo
1064m·1.8 km·1h
OPENPR6.8
Rabaçal to Estrada do Rochão
1064m·1.2 km·0.75h
OPENPR13.1
Louro da Gota to 25 Fontes
1100m·1.8 km·1h
OPENPR28
Fanal to canal guard house
1130m·10.7 km·5h
OPENLive webcams in this zone
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Data source and methodology
Temperature and wind values are based on the standard environmental lapse rate (-6.5°C per 1,000m altitude change). Cloud deck height is derived from local weather stations and live webcam views. Official access status is synchronized with official notices.