📍: 7 km (round trip)

🚘: Free parking at the PR8 trailhead

📈: 500 m

🕒: 2-3 hours

It's a really popular hike because it's not too far from Funchal and not too steep. The PR8 Ponta do Sao Lourenco coastal hike on the eastern tip of Madeira offers breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and its rugged coastline.

The trail is mostly made of rocks and gravel, but it's easy to see where to go. Just make sure you have good shoes and pay attention to where you're walking. Some places are a bit exposed, but there are always railings or wider paths to keep you safe. Overall, it's a good trail for everyone.

The hike covers a 3.5-kilometre trail with several beautiful viewpoints, showcasing how the coastline has changed over millions of years due to volcanic erosion. The best times to hike are early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid intense midday heat. Hiking during these times offers stunning views of the sunrise or sunset over the Atlantic Ocean, and it's less crowded too! The trail ends at the restaurant Casa da Sardinha. It looks like a nice rest stop, but unfortunately, we've never been there. Although we've done this hike several times, it was always at sunrise or sunset, so the restaurant was closed.

From Casa da Sardinha, you can see a tall hill called Pico do Furado. The trail to this viewpoint is officially closed, but that doesn't stop anyone from climbing to the top. In my opinion, the hike isn't complete without summiting Pico do Furado. The trail to the top is well-prepared, and the area at the top seems very sturdy, as expected from a mountain peak. I guess the authorities are concerned about the safety of less experienced hikers by not exposing them to more challenging parts of the hike.

From Pico do Furado, you can see the end of the Dragon's Tail with the lighthouse at its end. We particularly enjoy the sunrise views there, with the soft light gently brightening the cliffs on Ponta do Sao Lourenco. The top of Pico do Furado is a great spot for landscape photography, so you'll likely see some photographers with tripods if you go there in the morning. From here, you must return within the same way back to the parking lot, where the hike starts and ends.