Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8) | Step-By-Step Trail Guide

A visit to Madeira would be incomplete without hiking the Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8). Known as one of the best trails in Madeira, you will walk along the rugged coast and marvel at the dramatic cliffs. The highlight is the view from the final climb, where hikers stand atop the highest point of the peninsula and overlook the coast.

We did this hike in July 2024 and it was one of our favorites in Madeira. Every step of the way you are treated to amazing coastal views. It is a relatively short hike and doable for most people, including adventurous kids. The Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço hike makes our list for the top 5 experiences to have in Madeira.

Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8) Hiking Fee

As of late 2024, there is now a fee to hike Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8). The fee is 3 euros per person, for any non-resident over 12 years old. Hikers who do not pay the 3 euro fee will be charged a 50 euro fine. I read that this will start on October 28, 2024 and January 1, 2025. As of now, it looks like you can pay the fee online and there may also be some sort of payment station or kiosk at trailheads. 

If you hike this trail when the fee is implemented and have any information to share with us, please let us know in the comment section at the end of this guide. Thank you in advance!!

How to Hike Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8)

Step-By-Step Trail Guide

First Part of the Trail

From the parking lot, the trail begins in great form. A manicured stone walkway will guide your path along the hillside. Almost immediately, you’re treated to some spectacular views of the peninsula. You’ll mostly be viewing the southern side of the cliffs as you hike, and the protected cove that they form.

Ponta do Furado (the highest point on the peninsula) is a turnaround point, which will be visible for a majority of the hike. That makes it easy to track your progress!

The trailhead

Approaching the first optional viewpoint along the trail.

Coastal Viewpoints & Casa do Sardinha

Only 0.8 km (0.5 miles) into the hike, you’ll reach your first major viewpoint. Turn left to view the northern side of the cliffs and keep right to continue on the trail. Here’s the view.

In quick succession, you’ll hit a handful of other trail splits for some awesome views out. At all of these splits, it’s less than a minute walk to the official viewpoint.

As you hike between viewpoints, the trail will gradually climb higher and higher along the hillside. At some points you won’t even feel like you’re climbing until you look back at where you came from. While looking back, you might as well enjoy the view of the cove.

Here’s the trail in photos.

Looking back along the trail to the first viewpoint

One of several stair climbs

Another breathtaking view of the coastline

Don’t forget to turn back every once in awhile to enjoy the view!

Looking back along the trail

A little under 2.4 km (1.5 mi) into the hike, you’ll reach a narrow ridgeline. The trail follows along the top, and in our opinion, this was the most fun part of the hike. On either side is a steep drop off to the ocean below, with guard rails protecting the trail. The trail is wide enough to comfortably pass other hikers, but know that this section can become congested midday.

This hike also tends to be very windy, so hold on to your hat, as you could lose it on this section of the hike.

At the opposite end of the ridgeline, the trail will widen and open up to a view of these “layered-cake cliffs” that look stunning.

Just beyond this view, the trail will split and form a 1.6 km (1 mile) loop. To get to Casa do Sardinha, it’s roughly the same distance either way. If you go right, you will have a short descent followed by an uphill walk to the casa. If you go left, the path is relatively flat.

We took the trail to the right. It starts off as a short, steep walk down towards the coast followed by a gradual uphill walk to Casa do Sardinha. 

The start of the loop. In the distance is Casa do Sardinha and the optional climb to the Ponta do Furado viewpoint.

If you take the trail to the right, you’ll get this view of the coastline.

We arrived at Casa do Sardinha around 9 am. There were plenty of hikers here but neither the cafe itself nor the bathrooms were open for the day (these open around 10 am and close around 5 pm). They do offer outdoor seating that seems to be open 24/7, which makes a good place to rest your legs if needed.

The view from Casa do Sardinha

Optional Climb to Ponta do Furado

From the cafe, you can continue left to complete the loop and head back to the carpark or add on an extra 1.3 km (0.8 mile) climb roundtrip (spoiler alert: it’s totally worth it!).

To do this, you will follow a dirt trail located behind the cafe that sharply winds up to the peninsula’s highest point. The trail gets pretty steep, and you’ll most definitely end your climb out of breath, but it’s manageable! This isn’t part of the official trail but many people continue to the viewpoint. There is nothing dangerous about this climb but it is strenuous, with a mix of steep dirt paths and steps.

This is the view looking down the steps/trail

Know that on the climb, an old, rusted safety cable runs along the trail. Don’t use this for support unless absolutely necessary, as a cut could have you questioning the last time you got a tetanus shot (or pack some gloves).

The effort required to make it to the top only makes the views that much better. From here, you’ll be treated to beautiful 360° panoramic views of the peninsula. You can see across the peninsula to the carpark, a few large islands, and the São Lourenço lighthouse.

Final climb to the top

The view from Ponta do Furado

Another view from Ponta do Furado

After you return back down to the loop, either return the way you came or hike the alternate side of the loop. Both are roughly the same distance.

One of the viewpoints from the loop

Casa do Sardinha

The Return Hike

This trail can get pretty busy in the summer, especially during midday. If you choose to start early in the morning like we did, you may find yourself passing tons of other hikers traveling in the other direction. On spots like the narrow ridge, passing can get pretty difficult.

To finish the hike, retrace your steps back to the parking lot.

How to Get to Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço

Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço is located on the eastern end of Madeira. The closest town is Caniçal.

Here are driving times and distances from several locations in Madeira:

• Funchal: 34 km, 35 minutes
• Calheta: 65 km, 1 hour 5 minutes
• Porto Moniz: 65 km, 1 hour 15 minutes
• Santana: 26 km, 30 minutes
• Ponta do Sol: 55 km, 50 minutes

Here is an aerial shot of the parking lot along ER109 on Google Maps.

The parking lot is located at the end of ER109. There are about 60 parking spaces for personal vehicles. For a hiking trailhead, that is a lot of parking. And it’s not nearly enough, at least not during the summer months.

Our visit was in July 2024. We parked at 8:00 am and about half of the spaces were already taken. We finished the hike around 10:30 am. By then, the parking spaces were completely filled and parallel parked cars lined ER109.

We strongly suggest getting here by 8:30 am to get a parking spot, to get ahead of the crowds, and to beat the midday heat.

If you don’t have a rental car, it is also possible to get here on bus 113, by taxi, or on a tour, which we discuss next.

Transportation & Tours

If you like the idea of hiking Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8), but don’t have a rental car or if you don’t want the hassle of driving and parking, there are several guided hikes and transportation services that can get you to the trailhead.

This full day hiking tour includes your transportation plus a guided hike. It gets fantastic reviews and is our top pick for a guided hike of the Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8) trail.

If you simply want transportation to and from the hike, this service runs from Funchal.

Bathrooms

There are no toilets at the trailhead. The only bathrooms are located at Casa do Sardinha, which is one of the turn around points for the hike. These bathrooms are only open when the restaurant is open, which is roughly from 10 am to 5 pm.

What to Bring

Hiking shoes or a good pair of walking shoes. Hiking shoes are ideal but you can also use a good pair of walking or running shoes.

Sunblock, hat, and sunglasses. There is zero shade on the trail so don’t forget your sunblock!

Water and snacks. Plan on bringing at least 1 to 2 liters of water per person plus snacks or a picnic lunch.

If you are new to hiking or are curious about what you should bring on a hike, check out our Hiking Gear Guide. Find out what we carry in our day packs and what we wear on the trails.

Places to Go After the Hike

After your hike, there’s a number of different things you can do near the town of Caniçal. Visit a few viewpoints to continue enjoying dramatic coastal views, unwind at a black sand beach, or grab lunch at one of our favorite restaurants in Madeira.

Miradouro do Caniçal

Just down the street from today’s trailhead is a popular coastal viewpoint. Here you can admire partial views of the same peninsula from today’s hike from an alternate angle, and can even catch glimpses of the hiking trail. This is an excellent overlook of the dramatic cliffside and is an option for people looking to get fantastic views without doing today’s hike.

From the same parking lot, you can complete a short, 2 minute uphill walk to Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto. As you’ll be at a slightly higher vantage point, you can enjoy sweeping 360 degree views over the coast.

Prainha do Caniçal

Looking for a spot to cool off after your hike? We recommend visiting Prainha do Caniçal, a beautiful sandy beach located in a small, protected cove.

This beach is not nearly as crowded as some of Madeira’s other sandy beaches, which is a huge win in our books.

There’s a large roped off swimming area, a restaurant, and plenty of space to lay down a beach towel. There’s also a large parking lot that’s only a 5-minute drive from today’s trailhead.

Praia de Machico

Praia de Machico is an option for those who want a beach with plenty of amenities. Here you can rent kayaks and paddleboards, swim in a protected cove, and jump off a floating platform in the water. This beach is larger than Prainha do Caniçal and will be a bit more crowded, but you get to enjoy the extra amenities. There’s a large parking lot just along the road, on the opposite side of the beach.

Restaurante O Recante

After hiking Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço, we had lunch at Restaurante O Recante which is located in Caniçal, a very short drive from the hike. The ambience, the service, and the food are amazing. The scarlet prawns and octopus, and maybe even a little Sangria, are a perfect pick-me-up after this hike.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can kids do the Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço hike?

When we did this hike, we saw a great range of ages, including children as young as 5. If you’re traveling as a family with kids 5 or older, this is a great hike to do in Madeira. However, we do not recommend taking young children on the hike to the final viewpoint, as the trail ends on a plateau with drop offs and a lot of exposure. Know your family’s limits, if the distance and total ascent are too much then you can still have a great experience even if you turn around early.

Is the Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço hike worth it?

Absolutely. This was our favorite hike in Madeira. Only a bit over 5 miles (8 km) in length, the Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço is on the shorter end of Madeira hikes. Throughout much of the hike you’ll be treated to spectacular and dramatic views of nearby cliffs. The trail isn’t too challenging and with near constant views, this was one of our favorite experiences in Madeira.

Do I need hiking shoes for the Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço hike?

Hiking shoes are not absolutely necessary for the Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço hike. We did this hike as a family, some wearing hiking shoes and Julie wearing running shoes, but the weather was dry. If it has been wet or raining, the rocks along the trail can get very slippery, which makes it a lot easier to slip and fall or twist an ankle. Ideally, pack a pair of hiking shoes. If you don’t have any, keep an eye on the weather forecast and hike the Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço when the weather is dry.