HIKE PONTA DE SÃO LOURENÇO IN MADEIRA [FULL GUIDE]

HOW IS THE HIKE AT PONTA DE SAO LOURENCO IN MADEIRA? HOW LONG IS VEREDA PONTA DE SAO LOURENCO?

Madeira is a true hiking paradise and Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8), is just another proof of that.

While Levada do Caldeirão Verde is our ultimate favorite hike in Madeira, Ponta de São Lourenço would come very close, or at least would be on the podium of one of the best hikes in Madeira.

Key Takeaways from a hike to Ponta de São Lourenço

– Enjoy a gorgeous hike along the rugged cliffs and stunning coastal trails of Ponta de São Lourenço, offering panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean.
– Witness fascinating rock formations, including volcanic rocks and colorful cliffs that contrast with the deep blue of the sea.
– Capture breathtaking landscapes, dramatic cliffs, and the vivid colors of the coastline, providing incredible photo opportunities.
– Spot various bird species, including seabirds like Cory’s Shearwaters and Berthelot’s Pipits, making it a haven for birdwatchers.
– Accessible trails cater to different hiking levels, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced hikers to explore the area.
– Enjoy stunning sunrise or sunset views over the Atlantic Ocean, offering a magical and serene experience at the edge of Europe.

This video provides a short glimpse on what to expect during the hike:

Guide to Ponta de São Lourenço

Ponta de São Lourenço is one of the most popular hikes in Madeira. And for good reason! You will discover some of the most beautiful and impressive cliffs in Madeira! It is also THE best spot to watch the sunrise as it is located at the easternmost point of the island. Many people would start hiking around 5am to see the sunrise!

Ponta de São Lourenço offers a hiking trail that is very different from the other trails in Madeira. Here you won’t find any levadas, waterfalls, or lush green forests. The landscape in this part of the island is semi-arid and Ponta de São Lourenço is surrounded by the ocean. This is the most unique hike in Madeira, don’t miss it during your trip!

This hike is often called the Dragon’s Tail. When you will see the place, you will understand why. This coastal track takes you along a steep, narrow coast to the easternmost point of Madeira Island shaped like a Dragon’s Tail. The trek is a 7.4-kilometre route with many stunning viewpoints, which highlight volcanic erosion over millions of years along the entire coastline.

Useful information about a hike at Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço

Hiking guide for Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço in Madeira

Starting Point of the hike:

There is a parking lot just before the start of the hike. Google map location: here. However the parking can get quite full if you reach there late morning or early afternoon, so you will have to park along the road before reaching the hike. The parking is free.

Public Transportation/how to get there:

there is also a bus (113) getting there from Funchal, more information here.

Hike difficulty:

Medium. It’s not completely flat, there will be a series a stairs, but the path remains relatively easy except the last 100~200 meters, which is quite steep, before reaching the final viewpoint at Pico do Furado.

Distance / Duration:

7.4 km (3.7km 1 way). It takes 3 to 4 hours to complete (round trip).

Best timing for the hike:

Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço is famous for sunrise. If you can reach the easternmost point right before sunrise, you won’t be disappointed!

Shop/Restaurant along the way:

There is a food truck at the parking lot if you need to buy drinks or small snacks. Towards the end of the hike, there is also a stunning restaurant (Casa Sardinha, here) serving food, coffee and other drinks. A great stop to relax and enjoy the surroundings!

How is the hike at Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço?

To reach the end of the Dragon’s Tail you will have nearly 4 km to cover on a well-secured path.

The hike begins with a downhill trail, marked by log steps. It then gives way to a stony path, just wide enough to allow 2 people going in the opposite direction to cross.

Then, you will have the option to take a short detour to reach a pebble beach. If you want to take a swim before continuing with the hike, it would be a the perfect place.

Further on, you will see Casa Sardinha (more on that below). Yay! This means you reached the last section of the hike. However, this would be the hardest perhaps.

To reach the last viewpoint at Pico do Furado, you will need to climb a rather steep path. Some people skip that part as the path becomes very steep. However, we highly recommend pushing through and going all the way to the top for the most breathtaking view! To the south, you can see the Desertas Islands, and to the north, the island of Porto Santo. Simply stunning!

Allow 4 hours (with breaks) to do the entire hike. In sunny weather, remember to take sunscreen and plenty of water!

What else to see during the hike?

Casa Sardinha

When you see Casa Sardinha for the first time, it feels like you are seeing an oasis in the middle of the desert! Indeed, Ponta de São Lourenço is rather dry, there is not a single tree and the sun can be quite strong. However, suddenly you see a few palm trees and a beautiful house in the middle of a plateau, right before Pico do Furado. What is this place??!!

First, we thought it was a mirage, due to the hot sun, and the fact that we were hiking for almost 2 hours already. But no, it is Casa Sardinha. A beautiful restaurant in the middle of nowhere. Quite intriguing in fact!

So we did some research to find out about this place. It was actually built by someone called Manuel Bettencourt Sardinha. The idea was to use this house as a place for vacation but also a refuge.

Then in 1966, he gave it to his granddaughter, D. Françoise Delput who sold it to the Autonomous Region of Madeira. Her condition was to use this house to support the nature conservation of Ponta de São Lourenço. Later on in 2010, this place was completely renovated and opened to the public as Casa Sardinha.

Today, it is the perfect place to rest, and enjoy some nice food and coffee surrounded by natural beauty!

Lighthouse: Farol

Visit Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço in Madeira

At the end of the Ponta de São Lourenço, you will see a lighthouse “the Farol”. This lighthouse was built in 1870. With a height of 103 meters, it is the oldest lighthouse in Madeira.

Boat tour and Kayak trip

From Casa Sardinha, you can book a boat tour or kayak trip. There will be a high probability of observing dolphins and whales. There is a pier not far from Casa Sardinha where boats and kayaks depart.

For more information, you can check out the link here.

Some Background about Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço in Madeira

A peninsula of volcanic origin

All you need to know about Ponta de São Lourenço

Ponta de São Lourenço is of volcanic origin. When starting your hike, you’ll quickly notice it! It is composed of basalt (magma cooled rapidly and of mineralogical composition) as well as limestone sediments.

The climate

At Ponta de São Lourenço, the climate is much drier than on the rest of the island of Madeira. It is semi-arid. Besides the area is exposed to the north wind, which results in rather low vegetation.

Fauna and flora

At Ponta de São Lourenço, there are many flowers and birds, some of which are endemic.

Here are some examples of plant varieties: immortelle, cardoon, halophyte etc.

And some examples of bird species: are Madeira Berthelot’s Pipit, European Goldfinch, Canary, Common Kestrel, Ashy Shearwater (protected seabird), Castro’s Storm-Petrel, Bulwer’s Petrel, Common Tern, and colonies of Yellow-legged Gulls.

As everywhere in Madeira, you can see a large number of lizards. Apparently, it is also possible to see a monk seal, a very rare animal.

In Conclusion

The hike is truly magnificent. It was one of the highlights of our trop to Madeira. Its unique landscapes and incredible breathtaking views made us feel at the end of the world.

What was most surprising was the striking contrast between the deep blue of the Atlantic, the huge cliffs, and the vegetation. We were amazed by the beauty of this place during the entire hike.

FOR OTHER THINGS TO SEE IN MADEIRA, READ THIS POST: 30 BEST THINGS TO SEE IN MADEIRA

HIKE PONTA DE SÃO LOURENÇO IN MADEIRA [FULL GUIDE]

Guide to Ponta de São Lourenço