Elevation profile
0 m100 m200 m0 km1 km2 km3 kmPonta de São Lourenço 126 m
Description
The PR8 starts from Baía d'Abra, at the end of the Caniçal road, and follows the spine of the São Lourenço peninsula to the Casa do Sardinha: 4 km one way (8 km out and back), about 2 hr 30 min, through a stark, treeless landscape, with the Atlantic to the north and south.
It is the perfect introduction to the crossing: Baía d'Abra is served by bus route 702 (Funchal – Caniçal – Baía d'Abra) and the start of the crossing, at Poço do Gil, is a few kilometres away. There is a small supervised camping zone near the Casa do Sardinha (€5 per tent per night, booking required).
Tips
- No shade at all: set off early, with a hat and 1.5 litres of water.
- Open as of 9 November 2026; €4.50 for non-residents, to be booked on SIMplifica.