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    PR8 São Lourenço trail along volcanic red cliffs with turquoise sea, Madeira
    coastalout and back

    Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço

    East (Machico to Ponta de São Lourenço)
    Reservation required — €4.50 per person. Book via SIMplifica before you go. How to book

    7.5 km

    Distance

    500m

    Elevation gain

    2.5-5h

    Duration

    500m

    Elevation loss

    CardioModerate · 3/5
    TechnicalEasy · 2/5
    ExposureHard · 5/5

    Volcanic peninsula with no shade, extreme wind exposure, and unprotected cliff edges. Requires €3 advance permit via SIMplifica; dangerous in high winds.

    Navigation

    Trail Map

    Elevation profile

    GPX Track

    Traced from OpenStreetMap. Works with Garmin, Komoot, AllTrails. Check it against signage on the trail.

    Download

    Trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Elevation: Open-Meteo (Copernicus DEM)

    Preparation

    Know Before You Go

    Exposure warning — Not for heights

    This trail has sections with significant drops or narrow ledges. If you're uncomfortable with heights, browse low-exposure alternatives.

    Hazards & Considerations

    Complete absence of shade on entire 7.5km trail
    high
    Extreme wind exposure on exposed peninsula
    high
    Unprotected coastal cliff edges with vertical drops
    high
    Heat exhaustion risk in summer months
    high
    Trail closure in winds >60km/h
    high

    Access Points

    Parking

    Baía d'Abra car park

    Best times for this hike

    Full calendar →
    5 best months4 to avoid
    Jan
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    More Like This

    Similar Hikes in East (Machico to Ponta de São Lourenço)

    Vereda do Larano exposed coastal cliff trail above the Atlantic, northeast Madeira

    Vereda do Larano

    12km coastal · 3-4h

    Photography

    Photography on This Trail

    What to Shoot

    Volcanic GeologyCoastlineTurquoise WaterSea Cliffs

    Best Months

    MarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctober

    Kit Notes

    Wide to ultra-wide (12–24 mm) for the peninsula arms. Polariser essential — cuts Atlantic glare. No shade on the trail; start before 8 AM in summer.

    Best photo spotsPhotography itinerary

    Continue Exploring

    East (Machico to Ponta de São Lourenço)

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    Featured in

    This hike appears in 6 itineraries

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