Ponta de Sao Lourenco

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A walk at the eastern end of Madeira in the only semi-desert environment of the island. Beautiful scenery on top of colourful cliffs, beautiful views of the sea and a way to escape.

Details

n°118174
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.98 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,345 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,339 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 344 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 82 ft
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Photos

Ponta de São Lourenço
Ponta de São Lourenço
Ponta de São Lourenço: final section
Magnificent views all along the trail

Description of the walk

Start & Parking: Park in Baia Abra, east of Caniçal, at the end of the road.

Yellow and Red markings (trail No. 8).

(S/E) Follow the path that goes to the North-East. Walk along the top of the cliff to the left and reach the heights of the cliffs to the north.

(1) Turn south-west to head past Ponta do Castelo on the right. Continue through a sort of spit: the narrowest passage of the route. Approximately 250 m after crossing this isthmus, arrive at a split in the route.

(2) The trail goes around the tip of Ponta de São Lourenço and can be walked in either direction. This route guide takes a clockwise direction starting on the left. After about 500 m, turn right towards the Casa do Sardinha (Natural Parks building).

(3) Head past the building on the left, then head to the North-West.

(4) Turn left onto a small that leads down to the sea. Then back onto the path to the North-West to the start of the loop.

(2) Continue North-West, head back across the narrow isthmus and back to the north cliff.

(1) Turn South-West to reach the starting point.(S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 253 ft - Baia d'Abra
  2. 1 : mi 0.76 - alt. 285 ft - North cliff
  3. 2 : mi 1.55 - alt. 243 ft - Start of the loop from the end of the tip
  4. 3 : mi 1.9 - alt. 167 ft - Casa do Sardinha
  5. 4 : mi 2.18 - alt. 82 ft - Access to Cais do Sardinha
  6. S/E : mi 3.98 - alt. 253 ft - Baia d'Abra

Notes

Start & Parking: Park in Baia Abra, east of Caniçal, at the end of the road.

Waymarkers: Yellow and Red markings (trail No. 8).

Terrain: The itinerary includes high passages along cliff edges around (1), a narrow isthmus between (1) and (2). Although the route is secured in some places (cables, barriers), ‘’these sections require greater care''. Similarly, the path to Cais do Sardinha (4) requires surefooted hikers. People prone to fear of heights should avoid this hike.

The environment is fragile and is in a nature reserve. Always read and respect the recommendations on the panels at the start. In particular, do not stray off the paths and not to litter, including cigarette butts.

Gears: The terrain is rocky, good hiking shoes are essential. A map is essential (at a minimum the one that is provided with this description).

There is no shade or water on the course: bring sun screen and water supplies. Do not hesitate to start early in the morning so as to avoid too much direct sun.

Worth a visit

Stunning views of the sea and the cliffs of volcanic rocks in red hues.

Ponta de Sao Lourenco is the only non-wooded and semi-desert area of the island of Madeira. There is a sparse vegetation adapted to the conditions (drought, wind).

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 80 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
trolldeyeti
trolldeyeti
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We set off at 6am (we were practically alone); to see the sunrise at the very end of the walk, you have to walk at least as far as the second peak, otherwise the mountain blocks the view of the sunrise. The route is signposted, except for the section around the first mountain (especially at night…), but after that it’s fine. We were back at the start around 10 am… and by then it was absolutely heaving… A must-do for early risers.

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fudji
fudji
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 27, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The walk set off at 8.00 am. Three-quarters of the car park was already full. There’s a charge to park here, and it’s often fully booked several days in advance (the local equivalent of the ONF may check your QR code; if you don’t have one, you won’t be allowed in).

The route description is excellent; the only thing missing is the little snack bar/café towards the end of the walk. This is probably the ‘house’ mentioned in point 3.

Note that you can go further out onto the headland by heading behind the famous hut (it’s signposted). It’s a bit of a climb, but the view is well worth the effort.

Quite windy – I reckon that’s to be expected. The sun’s beating down, so make sure you bring sun cream.
It might be slippery if it rains.

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pierre PVO
pierre PVO

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 30, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The information sheet is very well put together; it would just be worth mentioning that there’s a bar serving light refreshments at the tip of the headland.
As for parking, we arrived around 2 pm on Sunday and people were leaving, so it was possible to park at the start of the walk.
It was very busy on the way out, but much quieter on the way back around 4 pm.
It was very windy that day, so you need to be careful on certain sections and keep an eye on your hats.
The views live up to the descriptions – they’re breathtaking.
Good walking boots are recommended as the ground is very stony, with many sections featuring steps of varying heights.
At the start of the hike, there is a section on a wooden boardwalk that is in need of renovation; many of the boards are rotten, so watch your ankles.

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Philippe-67
Philippe-67

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 27, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very popular hike, free parking, hike costs €4.50 per person (website : https://visitmadeira.com/fr/que-faire/ex...). Stunning scenery. Be aware of the elevation and the sun (no shade along the entire route).

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User 2833443

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 19, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hiking now costs €4.50 via QR code since 1/1/26. We had to park a kilometre away because the car park was full. Extraordinary views. Not to be done in the rain as the ground turns to clay.

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kuumiut
kuumiut

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

no worries about following the route... just follow the crowd! But the show is still worth the detour.

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ducastelcb
ducastelcb

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike, very popular. Avoid going between 10:00 and 14:00. The landscapes are magnificent and offer a change from the levadas. Be careful, there is no shade.

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User 25198253

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful hike with superb views.
Please note that upon arrival at the site, we were asked to pay €3 per person for maintenance of the trail.
A few difficult sections but a very accessible hike

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PierrickBZH
PierrickBZH

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

This is a very fine walk and one of the best known, so there are a lot of people even if you start early. The scenery is arid with little vegetation, so it stands out from the rest of the island.

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User 12052167

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A fine walk with beautiful views. The route is not technically difficult. However, beware of rusty cables, as there is a risk of being pricked or cut. Avoid this hike if it is raining or the ground is very wet.
Car park often overbooked.

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Chaden
Chaden

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We arrived a little late and the police forbade us to go to the Baia d'Abra car park as it was full. We had to go and park near the Miradouro do Rosto, then walk along the fenced-in camp and find the route of the hike further below.
A magnificent hike that takes you to the very tip of Madeira.
Be careful, the last climb after the Casa do Sardinha is more difficult and the caves along the way are not well maintained. Otherwise, the narrow passages are well secured with cables.
Thanks to the author for this hike!

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RPodor
RPodor

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Magnificent walk with sea views and superb scenery. Popular but not overly so at this time of year.

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spirou56
spirou56

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very good, but be careful when it's windy - the gusts are really dangerous.

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Ang76
Ang76

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Well signposted all the way, with no difficulties, magnificent views and superb panoramas. Very popular. The final climb after the restaurant is complicated because the ground is very slippery, the track is in poor condition and the gradient is steep, so you need parish specific to Brittany shoes.
No shade, so bring water and a cap.
Total change of scenery

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david_45000
david_45000

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

very nice hike, the last viewpoint at the tip is a bit more difficult, but otherwise magnificent scenery and a very accessible hike!

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