The PR8 hike on Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço: Madeira's unique volcanic peninsula

WHERE IS VEREDA DA PONTA DE SÃO LOURENÇO?

Ponta de São Lourenço is a spectacular peninsula, situated on the easternmost point of Madeira’s rugged coastline, at about half an hour drive from Funchal.

Named after the vessel sailed by João Gonçalves de Zarco, this extraordinary peninsula is volcanic in origin and is now home to one of the most popular hiking trails on Madeira.

HOW TO GET TO VEREDA DA PONTA DE SÃO LOURENÇO

CAR | As mentioned before, Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço is located just 30 minutes from Funchal, which makes it one of the easiest hikes to reach by car.

The drive itself is pretty straightforward, and as with most of the highlights on Madeira, you’ll find lots of parking space at the beginning of the trail.

If visiting Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço is just one of the many activities you plan to do on the island, I highly recommend renting a car for the entire duration of your stay. I booked my car for Madeira at Rentalcars and can highly recommend their service.

I’ve also written a complete guide about driving on Madeira, so make sure you give that one a shot too.

TOUR | Another great way to hike the PR8 trail on Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço is by joining a tour.

Having said that, I would recommend this tour of Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço, as it’s organized by an expert local guide that shares lots of entertaining facts about the island and its ecosystems.

On top of that, this tour includes pickup and dropoff service at your hotel in Funchal, Caniço or Machico – plus it’s limited to 15 people per tour, which, to me is quite an important factor if I’m considering joining a tour.

BUS | Alternatively, if you prefer to visit on your own terms, yet not sure if you want to rent a car, there’s also the option to go by public transport from Funchal.

The SAM 113 bus leaves from Funchal Edificio 2000 and stops at Baia D’Abra, which is situated directly at the start of the trail. Costing €3,- per person, the travel time should take around 1 hour and 15 minutes.

For the latest bus schedules, make sure you check the official SAM website.

THE PR8 HIKE | VEREDA DA PONTA DE SÃO LOURENÇO

The PR8 hike on Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço is without question one of the most popular hikes on Madeira since it is quite easy, with a well-defined path throughout the entire hike.

The starting point of the hike is not to be missed, since it’s located at the roundabout immediately after the parking area.

From the roundabout, walk down the paved steps on the left and follow the wooden boardwalk until you reach a well-defined dirt path. From here, the path is clear and easy to follow since it’s wrapped around the first section of the peninsula.

After following the path for roughly 10 minutes, you’ll reach the first viewpoint; Miradouro de São Lourenço. Depending on the time of your visit, you have two options here: one, have a short break to rest and take some photo’s, or two, head straight for Ponta do Castelo or Ponta do Furado.

Since I went before sunrise, I opted for the second option and climbed to the Ponta do Castelo viewpoint, where I waited for the sunrise to unfold, which was quite a dope experience.

From the Ponta do Castelo viewpoint, it takes another 30 minutes before you reach the stairs to the final viewpoint named Miradouro Ponta do Furado.

Once you reach the end of the trail, you’ll notice a warning sign that says it’s not allowed to climb to the viewpoint. Despite the sign, there isn’t actually a reason to be worried. Yeah, the climb is sort of steep, but in overall the way up is more than safe.

However, there must be a valid reason for the sign – so being extra cautious doesn’t hurt you.

Though I believe this section of the trail isn’t nearly as impressive as the first section, the fascinating views that you’ll get at the Miradouro Ponta do Furado viewpoint make up for a lot.

On your way back you’ll notice a small cafe named Casa do Sardinha, where you can have a short coffee break before heading back out on the trail. From here, you basically follow the same path back to the beginning of the PR8 trail. If you did the hike before sunrise, make sure you add an extra stop at the Miradouro de São Lourenço viewpoint on your way back.

BEST TIME OF DAY TO HIKE VEREDA DA PONTA DE SÃO LOURENÇO

As with most hikes on Madeira, the Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço is magnificent at sunrise, meaning the best time to start your hike is about one hour before the sun comes up.

While it’s possible to visit Ponta de São Lourenço at every time of day, I wouldn’t advise visiting during noon, as the light will probably be too harsh for photography – plus it can get really hot here during the day, and there’s no shelter on the trail.

Additionally, Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço makes for an excellent afternoon or sunset hike, making it perfect for those that opted for another hike in the morning or simply don’t like waking up early during the holidays.

BEST TIME OF YEAR TO HIKE VEREDA DA PONTA DE SÃO LOURENÇO

The PR8 hike on Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço can be done year-round, however, I believe the best time to visit is during the drier months of April to October. Not only will there be little to no rainfall, but you will also experience the characteristic landscape in its otherworldly burnt-orange colourway.

If you opt for a winter getaway on Madeira, the rugged cliffs of Ponta de São Lourenço will most likely be covered by a green blanket of grass due to rainfall that occurs during the offseason.

I did the PR8 hike on Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço at the start of October and had warm and comfortable weather, despite a short rainshower halfway through the hike.

WHAT TO PACK FOR THE PR8 VEREDA DA PONTA DE SÃO LOURENÇO

As with any hike, I believe it’s crucial that you’re well-equipped before you begin the PR8 hike on Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço.

To help you have a stress-free journey, I’d highly suggest packing the following items:

A REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE | One travel essential that I carry with me at all times is the Grayl Geopress. This reusable water purification bottle allows me to fill up water from nearly every water source, making it one of my best investments to date.

LAYERS | Since this hike is best started before sunrise, I highly recommend wearing layers. I took a hoodie with me, which was much needed, especially in the early morning. Also, given that the temperature can change dramatically at various points of the hike, it’s not a bad thing to bring a raincoat too.

HIKING BOOTS OR A GOOD PAIR OF SNEAKERS | While hiking boots definitely provide more stability to your ankles, I believe you could easily get the job done in a good pair of sneakers – just be sure that they have a firm sole with enough grip, so you’re supported when things get slippery. I recently bought the New Balance Hierro v7, and am really happy with them, as they offer all the feats of a hiking boot, while still looking like a dope sneaker.

SUN PROTECTION | Given that there is hardly any shelter throughout the hike, it is wise to bring good sunscreen and a hat. Even when the sun hides behind the clouds, it is still possible to get burnt.

SNACKS | Even though I practise intermittent fasting, and prefer to hike on an empty stomach, I always bring a few snacks to fuel me during my hikes. And I advise everyone to do the same, especially since you’ll only be able to buy something at the starting point of the PR8 hike. So, don’t mind bringing some fruits, nuts and a few protein bars. Also, bring enough cash to get a coffee or some snacks from the food truck if necessary.

HIKING POLES | I did the PR8 hike without hiking poles, but if you have poor knees or prefer a little support during the more strenuous parts of the trail, I highly advise bringing a set of quality hiking poles. These Montem Ultra Strong Hiking Poles are light, collapsible, and a great value for the price.

WHERE TO STAY NEAR PONTA DA SÃO LOURENÇO

Given Madeira is rather compact, I highly recommend anyone to base themselves in Funchal, Madeira’s vibrant capital city.

Funchal is an awesome city in its own right and is home to plenty of excellent accommodation options, is packed with history and culture, plus it has trendy restaurants and cafes at just about every corner.

To help you find a suitable place, I’ve listed three of my favourites below, one of which is marked – this is where I stayed.