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PR 8 — Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço

PR 8 — Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço — the trail guide

The PR 8 — Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço is a 8.0 km trek in Portugal, typically walked in 3–4 hours, with 240 m of total ascent. It rates Moderate on our published rubric (30 m of gain per km, topping out at 96 m).

PR 8 runs the length of Ponta de São Lourenço, the treeless volcanic peninsula that forms Madeira's eastern tip. From the Baía d'Abra car park the waymarked path undulates along a narrow spine of red, ochre and black tuff with the Atlantic breaking on both flanks, then drops to Casa do Sardinha, a walled garden that holds the only shade for miles. Nearly everyone returns the same way, so reckon 8 km and three hours, and buy the IFCN trail ticket first.

Quick facts

Distance8.0 km
Total ascent240 m
Typical duration3–4 hours
Difficulty (computed)Moderate
Steepness30 m gain per km
High point96 m
CountryPortugal
RegionPortugal

Difficulty is computed from gain-per-km and maximum altitude on a published rubric, identically for every trail in the catalogue — so an "Moderate" here means the same thing everywhere on DirtbagMaps.

Elevation profile

Low point 0 m · high point 96 m · 240 m total ascent over 8.0 km.

Historical climate normals — month by month

ERA5 reanalysis averages (2015–2024) for the trail area, referenced to approximately 81 m elevation. These are gridded historical estimates, not observations from every stage and not a forecast. They cannot show current snowpack, river levels, fire restrictions, closures or whether a pass is safe.

MonthAvg highAvg lowAvg precip
Jan18°14°77 mm
Feb18°13°68 mm
Mar18°14°67 mm
Apr19°14°54 mm
May20°16°30 mm
Jun22°18°61 mm
Jul24°19°16 mm
Aug25°20°20 mm
Sep24°20°43 mm
Oct23°19°74 mm
Nov21°17°83 mm
Dec19°15°85 mm

Planning notes

Frequently asked questions

How long is the PR 8 — Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço?

The PR 8 — Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço is 8.0 km, and most hikers complete it in 3–4 hours. Total elevation gain is 240 m.

How difficult is the PR 8 — Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço?

It rates Moderate on DirtbagMaps' computed rubric: 30 m of climbing per km walked with a high point of 96 m. The rubric classifies every trail from gain-per-km and maximum altitude, so ratings are comparable across the whole catalogue.

Can this climate table tell me when the PR 8 — Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço is open or safe?

No. The table contains historical ERA5 averages, not a forecast or a report of snow, flooding, fire, closures or route condition. Check the responsible land manager and a current local forecast before departure.

Where is the PR 8 — Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço?

In Portugal. The route starts near 32.743, -16.701 — the interactive 3D map above shows the full line, and the planner splits it into daily stages.

Can I get the GPX and plan daily stages?

Yes. Open the trail in the DirtbagMaps planner to drag the elevation profile into daily stages, see huts and accommodation along the corridor, and export a per-day GPX for your watch or GPS.

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