Ponta de São Lourenço walk (PR 8): the path to Cais do Sardinha

Walking the Ponta de São Lourenço

From Baía d'Abra the path follows a volcanic peninsula. Low vegetation leaves the landscape open around you. The dry climate and north winds explain the lack of trees. I'd choose this walk if you want time along Madeira's coast.

The name comes from João Gonçalves Zarco's caravel. He was one of the island's three discoverers. The peninsula includes the Cevada and Ponta de São Lourenço islets.

Cevada also has the names Metade and Desembarcadouro. The other islet is known as Farol or Fora.

The peninsula is a partial natural reserve. Desembarcadouro has total reserve status. The land and north-coast waters down to 50 m form part of the Natura 2000 network.

From the stone wall at Baía d'Abra the land belongs to the Regional Government. It forms part of the Madeira Natural Park.

You may spot a Mediterranean monk seal from the peninsula. It's the world's rarest seal. On Madeira it's known as lobo-marinho.

Out at sea the Desertas islands lie to the south. Porto Santo is to the north. Take time to look across the water as you follow the peninsula.

At Casa do Sardinha you'll find a café and toilets. There's also a picnic area at the finish. The beach area is at Cais do Sardinha. You'll walk back to Baía d'Abra afterwards.

Planning the walk out and back

Plan for 4 km each way to Cais do Sardinha. The route board and IFCN table use different distances and finish names. The 3 km on the board is to Casa do Sardinha. Use the longer distance when arranging your day.

The board allows 2 h 30. Keep enough time for the return walk before any plans after your hike. The path reaches 126 m at its highest point. Its lowest point is at 23 m.

The status panel at the top of this page shows whether PR 8 is open today. Check it before leaving for Baía d'Abra.

Cliff edges and what to carry

Keep your distance from cliff edges throughout the walk. The ground is unstable in many places. Stop well back from the edge for a look at the sea.

Bring drinking water with you from the start. This peninsula has low vegetation and lacks trees. Check the weather before heading out. A weather warning doesn't automatically close the route.

Booking Ponta de São Lourenço

Walking PR 8 costs €4.50 per person. Book through the SIMplifica portal before you go. You'll need to register online. IFCN offices don't take bookings or payments.

Choose an entry slot with room. It closes automatically when its capacity is reached. You can book today or tomorrow while places remain. There's about 15 minutes of leeway before or after your booked time.

Children aged 12 or under pay nothing. Madeira residents qualify for free entry with their resident card and citizen card. People with a disability of 60% or more can enter free with one legal guardian walking with them, on proof. Everyone still needs a booking even when entry is free.

If you're planning more walks, look at the day and multi-day fees. A day of two or more routes costs €9.00. The three-day option is €22.50. Seven days cost €52.50.

Those fees cover two or more routes during the period you choose. They all exclude PR 1. Each walk still needs its own entry booking. SIMplifica applies the cheapest option automatically.

You can reschedule or ask for a refund only if IFCN closes or restricts the route. Rain on its own won't qualify. You'll lose the fee for a change of mind or illness too. A missed flight doesn't qualify either.

Send your request to IFCN by email within 10 working days of the booked date. Check the route's access status before treating a weather warning as a closure.

Getting to Baía d'Abra

Baía d'Abra has parking and a bus stop at the start. There's an information board here too. Make your travel plans around the entry time you book. Keep the return walk in mind when arranging your journey home.

For a taxi, contact Táxis Caniçal on +351 291 961 989. The walk returns to Baía d'Abra. That's the place to plan around if you're leaving a car at the start. The café and toilets are at the far end of the walk.

With a guide or on your own

You can walk PR 8 without a guide. If you'd like someone to lead the walk, there's the guided PR 8 tour. The east jeep day stops at the peninsula. It also visits Pico do Arieiro and Santana. That suits you if you'd like to see several places during the day. Pick the walking trip if your main plan is to follow PR 8.

Guided walks and transfers on this route

• Ponta de São Lourenço (PR 8) - Hiking Tour in MadeiraGuided walk on PR 8. From €48 per adult, 6 hours. 4.94/5 from 33 reviews, combined Viator and Tripadvisor; on Viator alone 4.9 from 18 reviews.
• Walk with a localSaturdays: Ponta de São Lourenço, 7 km. From €50 per adult, 4 hours to 6 hours. 4.96/5 from 67 reviews, combined Viator and Tripadvisor; on Viator alone 5.0 from 27 reviews.
• Transfer to Ponta de São Lourenço Natural ReserveTransfer to the start of PR 8 and back, for a walk without a guide. From €32 per adult, 3 hours 30 minutes. 4.88/5 from 80 reviews, combined Viator and Tripadvisor; on Viator alone 4.5 from 6 reviews.

Prices and ratings as of 21 September 2026. All guided levada walks in Madeira → · All 4x4 jeep tours of east Madeira → · All Madeira tours that pick up outside Funchal → · All hiking transfers in Madeira →

4x4 days that stop here

• Full Day Jeep Safari East - Pico do Areeiro - Santana - Ponta de são Lourenço4x4 day on the east; the peninsula is one of its stops. From €67 per adult, 7 hours. 4.85/5 from 928 reviews, combined Viator and Tripadvisor; on Viator alone 4.7 from 149 reviews.
• Arieiro Peak, Santana & Ponta São Lourenço in Open Roof 4X4 Tour4x4 day on the east in an open-roof jeep, with 60 minutes at the peninsula. From €67 per adult, 7 hours 30 minutes. 4.94/5 from 249 reviews, combined Viator and Tripadvisor; on Viator alone 4.9 from 15 reviews.
• Madeira 4x4 Jeep Tour : Pico Arieiro & Santana Traditional Houses4x4 day on the east with 25 minutes at the peninsula. From €55 per adult, 7 hours to 8 hours. 5.00/5 from 78 reviews, combined Viator and Tripadvisor; on Viator alone 5.0 from 5 reviews.