Portugal Paul da Serra (Miradouo do Rabacal)
Paul da Serra (Miradouo do Rabacal) Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

39.9
PDI
11.2 mi
DISTANCE
5,292 ft
GAINED
8.8 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
MORE

Page Contributor(s): Venancio Ferreira, Pomnta do Sol, Madeira, Portugal.

INTRO

This is the harder of the two routes up to Paul da Serra, Madeira's high volcanic plateau, and it's not close - at nearly 40 PDI and world rank #103, it's a clear step up from the island's other approach (world rank #139). The climb runs about 11.2 miles from near sea level at Estreito da Calheta to 5,173 feet, gaining 5,292 feet at an 8.8% average grade. 

The first 9km will kick your butt. According to our data, the steepest 0.5 km averages 24.7%, a full kilometer averages 22.7%, and a 2 km stretch still averages 20.9% - with a 100-yard ramp hitting nearly 29%. One of our contributors, Venancio Ferreira, described riding through that section on a 34x32 low gear with his front wheel occasionally lifting off the pavement. But if you can survive the first half, the ride gets significantly easier to the finish.

The final 1.5 km adds a cobblestone surface on top of continued double-digit grades, a detail confirmed by his July 2021 ride - worth expecting rough, vibration-heavy pavement right at the finish rather than a smooth close. This climb rewards serious preparation and a genuine respect for what "toughest route up to Paul da Serra" actually means on this island.

PLAN YOUR ROUTE

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The average grade of 8.78% hides how uneven this climb really is. The opening kilometers out of Estreito da Calheta start steep, around 12-13%, easing briefly around the second kilometer. From roughly the third kilometer on, the road turns brutal: our data shows the steepest 0.5 km averaging 24.7%, a full kilometer at 22.7%, and 2 km still averaging 20.9%, with a 100-yard ramp reaching nearly 29%. 

A contributor who rode it described his front wheel lifting off the ground on the steepest ramps and having to zigzag across the road just to keep moving. The gradient eases somewhat in the final kilometers but never goes flat before the finish on the Paul da Serra plateau.
Roadway: Surface quality varies by section. The first kilometer, on the steepest opening ramps, has the roughest tarmac; the middle of the climb is on good asphalt. The final 1.5 km switches to cobblestone (still on double-digit grades), which one contributor described as uncomfortable and vibration-heavy - a small strip of concrete along the road's edge offers a smoother line in places. No 2026 closures or repair work were found for this road.

Traffic: This is a quiet, mostly local road with good visibility through the steep middle section and light traffic overall - one rider account specifically noted having room to zigzag across the lane on the steepest ramps without traffic being a concern.

Parking: Park in Estreito da Calheta or the nearby town of Calheta before starting - there's no dedicated climb parking area, and the road climbs immediately with no flat approach.
Bring the lowest gearing you have. With sustained ramps over 20% and short pitches near 29%, even strong climbers will want a compact crank paired with a wide-range cassette (34x32 or lower). One contributor, riding at around 81 kg, used a 34x32 for nearly the entire steep middle section and still had to fight to avoid stalling out. 

Carry more water and gels than you think you'll need - there are limited services on the climb itself, though a small camping house roughly 2.5 km from the top has offered riders a quick water stop in the past. Temperatures near the coast can be warm even when the plateau above is cool and often shrouded in cloud, so pack a light layer for the finish.
Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our Things to Bring on a Cycling Trip and use our interactive check list to ensure you don't forget anything.
Base yourself in Calheta or Estreito da Calheta on Madeira's southwest coast to start this climb close to your accommodation. This is one of the hardest climbs on the island, so treat it as the main event of the day rather than an add-on - between the sustained 20%+ ramps and the cobblestone finish, it demands full attention and fresh legs. 

Madeira's plateau weather can shift quickly, with cloud and wind common at altitude even on a sunny coastal morning, so it's worth checking conditions at both the coastal start and the plateau finish with our Weather tool before heading out. 

If you want to see how other climbs in the area compare, PJAMM also tracks a second, easier route up Paul da Serra with a lower average grade.

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CLIMB SUMMARY

Cycling Paul da Serra from Miradous do Rabacal

Ride 18 kilometers gaining 1,600 meters at 8.7% average grade (10.1% climb only).

This is World #95 and has 500 meters at 24.6%, 1 km at 22.6% and 2 km at 20.8% average grade!!

Climb summary and photographs by Venancio Ferreira (Pomnta do Sol, Madeira, Portugal)

 

So, this is a Climb that begins in the small village of Calheta at around 300 metres from the sea level and climbs until Paul da Serra where it ends at 1226 m. The GPS data gives me an accumulate of 928 metres in a total distance of 17,9 with initial 7,6 very steep kilometers. I made this climb in July 2021 and the temperature was around 24ºC, it was sunny and the weather was very good for cycling, but nothing can prepare you for that grueling effort. At the time I used a Trek 1.5 Aluminium bike with a 32/11 cassette in the back and 50/34 crankset.  I am a relatively heavy guy (around 81 kgs) so all the climb I used the 34/32 ratio and tried not to make any acceleration in order to maintain my power.

The climb begins already with quite a steep of around 12 to 13%, this is also the part where the tarmac is worse. In this regard we can say that for most of the course the tarmac is excellent. The second kilometer eases a bit so the steepness will be around 9 to 11%, in this section I did make a stop for some gel.

From the third kilometer things start to become really serious, From an intersection the road skyrockets in ramps that goes over 25% and the GPS data sometimes gave readings over 30% in some short parts. I must say that sometimes it was so steep that while pedalling the front wheel often lift off the ground and it was difficult to exceed 5 klm/h. Also it was so steep and slow that I was worried about not losing my balance on the bike.  After this really awful part the road is just a little bit easier, but nevertheless around 18%. For this part, the road has good visibility and not much traffic so I used the ziguezague technique in order to maintain a speed around 6km/h.

At more or less 2.5 klm to the steep end in a right turn there is a small camping house, so I stopped there for some fresh water and a gel, it was a quick stop for about 2 or 3 minutes in order not to cool too much.Then the road goes more or less the same 10 to 15% steepness for about one kilometer more.

For the last 1.5 klm there is a special bonus, the road is on cobbles. So it is very uncomfortable and with a lot of vibration, for some parts we can ride in a small stripe of concrete by the road side but for the most part we have to ride over the pavee, until finally I reached the end of the climb that is situated in Paul da Serra.

In terms of view, for the first part we can see the small houses built in the hills of Calheta, but after 2 klms there are only trees and a view over the mountains above. It is not a view we can appreciate because the climb is so incredibly difficult.

This is a climb where we have to be equally physically and mentally strong. If you think for a second about giving up, you will give up.