MadeiraLevadas Find a walk
WalksItinerariesHistoryThe ForestHow They WorkField Guide Glossary

PR8 · East — São Lourenço peninsula (Caniçal / Machico)

Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço

Also known as PR8 Ponta de São Lourenço · Baía d'Abra walk · the eastern peninsula trail

6 km Length out-and-back
2.5 h Duration typical
Moderate Grade moderate
150 m Ascent climb
high Exposure vertigo
PR8 Trail official PR

The PR8 is Madeira's most famous coastal walk and a deliberate counterpoint to the island's green levadas: it is a vereda (footpath), NOT a water channel, crossing the bare, wind-scoured volcanic peninsula that forms Madeira's eastern tip. The trail undulates over red, ochre and grey cliffs with the Atlantic on both flanks, threading a Partial Nature Reserve of rare endemic plants and seabird colonies before reaching the green oasis of Casa do Sardinha, where a path drops to a swimming cove. There is no shade, the wind is often fierce, and several sections run close to unprotected drops. It is moderate by effort but should not be underestimated in heat or strong wind.

Highlights

  • Madeira's iconic easternmost coastal walk
  • Stark, treeless volcanic peninsula of red and ochre cliffs
  • Partial Nature Reserve with rare endemic plants and seabird colonies (shearwaters, Bulwer's petrel) and occasional monk seals
  • Panoramas over both north and south coasts
  • Swim at Casa do Sardinha

Water on the route

  • Atlantic Ocean on both north and south coasts
  • swimming spot at Cais do Sardinha
  • Desembarcadouro and Farol islets at the eastern tip
  • sea cliffs and blowholes
Tunnels: None — this is an open coastal trail, not a levada.. Bring a head-torch — some levada tunnels are long, low and pitch black.

Walks like this

PR10 Central-East — Ribeiro Frio to Portela

Levada do Furado

The PR10 is the classic Central-East levada walk and follows one of the oldest public levadas on the island (the channel itself dated to 1822), running downhill through deep Laurisilva from the trout-farm hamlet of Ribeiro Frio to the pass at Portela. It is a long but largely gentle contour walk, with an initial undulating forest stretch giving way to open balconies above the Faial and Porto da Cruz valleys, framed by the great monolith of Penha d'Águia. The trail is mostly easy underfoot but earns its 'moderate' rating from its length and a handful of narrow, partially exposed ledge sections; an alternative high variant climbs toward Pico do Suna. As of early 2026 a section is affected by a landslide and pavement damage — check current status before setting out.

  • Has tunnels
  • Waterfall on the route
11 kmLength5 hTimemoderateGrade
View walk
Central-East — Choupana / Camacha / Santo da Serra

Levada da Serra do Faial

The Levada da Serra do Faial is a long, near-level water channel that contours the eastern highlands at roughly 700–800 m, linking the heights above Funchal (Choupana) eastward through Camacha and Santo da Serra and ultimately feeding toward the Ribeiro Frio system where the Levada do Furado begins. It is most often walked as the gentle Choupana–Camacha leg — sometimes marketed as the 'Levada Vale Paraíso' — a wide, flat, shaded path through mixed oak, pine, eucalyptus and laurel woodland with intermittent panoramas over the capital and its valleys. Its flatness and width make it one of the most accessible levada walks on Madeira, with no significant exposure.

  • Has tunnels
  • Family-friendly
6.2 kmLength2.25 hTimeeasyGrade
View walk
PR24 East — Porto da Cruz

Levada do Castelejo

The PR24 is an uncrowded levada walk on the rugged east coast above Porto da Cruz, following the Castelejo channel from the hamlet of Referta out to a small waterfall and footbridge where the stream feeds the levada. The early sections pass terraced farmland and laurel forest, but the trail's character is defined by a long stretch of narrow ledge suspended on the open hillside with high, largely unprotected exposure — comfortable walking underfoot but unsuitable for anyone uneasy with heights. It is a there-and-back route, returning the same way after the waterfall.

  • Waterfall on the route
8.8 kmLength3 hTimemoderateGrade
View walk