The PR8, Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço, is a trail covering a distance of approximately 8 kilometers round trip. It’s generally considered a moderately easy hike, taking around 2 to 3 hours to complete, making it accessible to hikers of various skill levels. The trail showcases the arid and rugged beauty of the eastern coast of Madeira.
Our experience
Day hike (7KM – 2-3 hours return hike)
We parked our car as close to the starting point as possible, which brings you all the way to the roundabout where the road ends. At this roundabout you could buy additional snacks and drinks for the hike. Note: During the day it gets really crowded, so many cars are parked on the side of the road. We planned to hike in the late afternoon to avoid the midday heat. The path is well marked and passes amazing views of the cliffs. Halfway the route, you can relax and have a drink at Casa do Sardinha Sea Spot Cafe (wouldn’t pick the banana bread though, it was a bit dry).
What to pack
- Enough water – at least carry 2 liters with you
- Small backpack
- Some energy bars
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
GPX Route
I’m a big fan of Komoot, so here you can find the route with distance, time, height differences all-in-one for each day:
