Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço, peninsula with cliffs in eastern Madeira
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PR 8

Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço

Baía d'Abra - Cais do Sardinha. Highlights: cliff peninsula, ocean on both sides, Cais do Sardinha.

mountains and viewpointsocean and cliffsshort trail
Distance
3 km
Time
about 1 h
Difficulty
Moderate
Fee
from 4.50 EUR
Altitude
23 - 126 m

Decision for today

Good to go

Status and basic weather do not show an obvious blocker. Still check IFCN/SIMplifica before starting.

  • Official status: open.
  • Weather: Good weather.

Watch this trail

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Access and parking

Baía d'Abra / Ponta de São Lourenço

confirmed

How will you get to the trail?

Quick access check

Parking pointBus possible after checkingPlan the return
Parking / start

Parking at the eastern end of the ER109 road. It fills up quickly in high season.

Coordinates for navigation

Start32.74338, -16.70094

Enter them into an offline map or the car's navigation before you set off: on mountain roads the signal can drop out for long stretches.

Bus / transfer

The easiest option is to look for connections to Baía d'Abra/Caniçal in SIGA; check the timetable on the day of your hike.

Search in SIGA: Funchal, Machico, Caniçal, Baía d'Abra.

Logistics

linear trail. Start: Baía d'Abra. End: Cais do Sardinha.

Access plan

By car

Baía d'Abra / Ponta de São Lourenço. Set the start point in maps and check whether parking is available in the morning and afternoon.

Without a car

Search in SIGA: Funchal, Machico, Caniçal, Baía d'Abra.

Return

This is a linear or logistically harder trail. Plan pickup, taxi or two transport legs.

Transport information is planning guidance. Confirm schedules, parking and access in official sources before you go.
Parking in Google Maps SIGA schedules

This is one of the trails where public transport can be a realistic option, but confirm the times with SIGA.

Trail map

Start point and area

Porto MonizSão VicenteSantanaMachicoFunchalPonta do Sol
PR 8

Orientation point

Ponta de São Lourenço · start

This is an orientation point, not a full GPS trail.

Parking / access

Baía d'Abra / Ponta de São Lourenço

Parking at the eastern end of the ER109 road. It fills up quickly in high season.

Prepare for this hike

Trail booking and entryTrail weatherWhat to pack and how to stay safe
Guides

Still have time after the hike?

Consider these places as a separate stop that day. Check transport, access and local conditions. These are not suggestions for walking directly from the trail.

If you booked a transfer, confirm the return time first. An extra stop may require separate transport. A beach is not a safe alternative in every weather condition; check the sea and warnings.

Hike plan

Day plan for this trail

Hike

3 km · about 1 h · Moderate

Conditions

Good to go. Status and basic weather do not show an obvious blocker. Still check IFCN/SIMplifica before starting.

Checklists and timing

Before you go

  • Check the current IFCN notice for this trail.
  • Save the start point and route offline.
  • Book and check the fee in SIMplifica.
  • Check the weather forecast and warnings from IPMA and Civil Protection before starting.
  • Verify wind and visibility before starting.

Gear

Offline map / saved start

Signal in mountains and valleys can be unstable.

Water and snacks

Even shorter trails can take longer due to weather and stops.

Windproof layer

On ridges and cliffs, wind cools your body quickly, especially during gusts.

Sun protection

Ocean-side sections can be exposed and without shade.

Daylight

Estimated time: about 1 h. Latest reasonable start: 16:18 (60 min buffer before dark).

Data confidence

What is reliable and what to check

Trail status

IFCN live

Last read: 30/10/2026, 16:41.

Difficulty

official

Shown as official or consistent with the source label.

Map point

start

This is an orientation point, not a full GPS trail.

Access

confirmed

Checked: 14/05/2026, 01:00. Confirm schedules in SIGA.

Weather now

Open-Meteo

Updated: 30/10/2026, 16:41. Refresh about every 1h.

After the hike

Where to eat nearby

Restaurante O Recante

Caniçal

4.8(2,348 reviews)Google Maps rating, checked on 25 July 2026

The highest-rated place in Caniçal, on the way back from the Baía d'Abra car park. Fish and seafood from the harbour next door, own parking. The kitchen also runs in the afternoon, so you need not rush off the peninsula.

Hours
daily 12:00 to 22:00
Prices
15 to 35 €
Cards:
accepted
Open in Google Maps

We checked the ratings and hours once, on the date shown, and this kind of data ages fast: confirm before you drive out. We have no agreement with these places and earn nothing on these tips.

Trail FAQ

Common questions before you go

Is the trail currently available?

Open. Trail status and weather can change quickly. Before you go, check IFCN, SIMplifica, IPMA/ProCiv and local signage.

How long does the hike take?

Roughly 1 h at a calm pace without longer breaks. Add time for photos and rest.

How much does entry cost?

Entry costs €4.50 for visitors over 12. Pay online in SIMplifica and keep the confirmation for checks.

Do I need to book or pay?

This trail requires booking or entry verification in SIMplifica before you start.

Where do I park and how do I get there?

Baía d'Abra / Ponta de São Lourenço. The easiest option is to look for connections to Baía d'Abra/Caniçal in SIGA; check the timetable on the day of your hike.

Is this a good trail with a dog?

check dog access rules. May be possible with a dog, but check current rules, weather and passages.

Trail profile

Who it suits and what to watch

Best for

Scenic mountain trail, good in stable weather.

shortscenicexposurecliffs/ocean

With a dog

check dog access rules

May be possible with a dog, but check current rules, weather and passages.

Risks

  • Avoid in strong wind, low visibility or icy ridge conditions.
  • On cliff trails, check wind, exposure and descent conditions.