PR8 - Vereda da Ponta de Sao Lourenco Walk
The PR8 - Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço walk was unlike any other hiking in Madeira we'd undertaken during our 2 week trip. Officially the trail states it's 3km to the Casa Do Sardinha, or Sardine House which is now a café, a nice reward for your efforts, though truth be told, the 3km on its own, whilst far more undulating than the almost flat levada walks, I'd still class this trail as one of the easy walks on Madeira. We were fortunate to complete this Madeira walk on an overcast day, but as the foliage is so low, there'd be no respite from the sun if you were to visit on a blue sky day - potentially making this 'easy' walk in Madeira more challenging. Behind the Sardine house, there was a further trail, not marked on any maps, and whilst distance wise, it wasn't too far to the Miradouro Ponta do Furado, or 'viewpoint' overlooking the final islands that make up the Dragon's Tail, and the final island with the Farol da Ponta de São Lourenço (lighthouse), the trail was pretty steep. It was also a little loose under foot. If you're an avid hiker like me, I've known much worse, but I imagine if you're there as a tourist to see this area, but don't usually hike, this additional trail up the hillside may be more challenging to get back down from. Tip: Don't step on the loose gravel, aim your foot to land on the sturdy mud. The other thing that can make this hike more challenging is the number of opportunities of Wild swimming at Sao Lourenco. There was a flat rock section with step ladders for easy access in and out to go Swimming at Praia das Sardinhas - you can't miss it as there's a little hut that rents kayaks and snorkels just on the other side to the rock pools - and this one's called Sardine Beach. There's also Praia de São Lourenço, or São Lourenço beach - much closer to the trailhead, but when hiking away from the car park, you must take a right turn off the main path to get to the pebbly beach. If you're looking for a hiking and wild swimming opportunity on your Madeira holiday, I couldn't recommend the Sao Lourenco hike more highly! If you're planning to visit Madeira island, or are just looking for things to do on Madeira to decide on whether a Madeira vacation is right for you, I hope this video will be helpful.
0:00 Intro
0:31 Not like Madeira
1:12 Trailhead signs + parking
2:41 Where we're headed
3:54 São Lourenço Campsite
4:36 Snacks @ Sardine Beach
6:02 Secret Trail?
7:21 View Point
7:55 Sardine House Lunch
9:59 Wild Swimming
11:37 Rock Pool Creatures
12:07 Thoughts
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Caroline, Thanks for sharing, The sea water must not be to cold, you guys seem to have fun in the water. I love exploring tide pools. Looks like a very popular walk. The views on your video looked like Channel Islands? Love your channel, Cheers.
@WhenAdventureKnox
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When I first got into the water, it felt a little chilly, I think because of how warm the air was, but I soon acclimatised and so we were able to stay in for some time. I had to think for a minute there as we have Channel Islands in the UK, the likes of Jersey and Guernsey, but I think you're referring to the National Park in California called the Channel Islands, and in which case, very much similar! There's a couple of US vloggers who went there about a year ago, spent a few days hiking and camping, and it looked amazing! Cheers!
Woah the landscape for this hike looks totally different, it's like you've left Madeira & flown to the volcanic Canary Islands. Can't believe just how green the rest of the island is compared to this! Nice touch in having that cafe out there, I bet it gets quite a lot of customers!! Swim looked very refreshing, loved the colour of the water and those cool looking ladders attached to the rocks. Shame you picked up a few minor scraps in the water but at least you lived to tell the tale. I actually really liked this hike, that stark desolate landscape is scenery I very much admire.
@WhenAdventureKnox
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I thought it looked a lot like the Canary Islands too. My brother just got back from Madeira the other week and his photos from this walk were very different - very green, I almost didn't recognise it. So I think it depends on when you visit. Summer is yellow as it's not rained for a while, but early spring after the winter rains is super green!
Last part of my research Lisbon annually have sardines festival held from 12-14 June for respected saint and sardines festival saints days celebrated in Portugal.verda da ponta sao lourenco is trail follows point des . Lourenco eastern most peninsula of Madeira saint named after caravel sailed by Joao ban calves zarco . One of three discoveries of Madeira island . This peninsula is volcanic in origin and comprises two islets , ceval davdese mbarcacuros islet , ponta de siourenco . Carol of fora islet , peninsula is classified as partial natural reserve all land and sea by north coast up .
@WhenAdventureKnox
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Continuing from my other reply - maybe I need to get myself to Lisbon and try sardines there to redeem the lack of them in Madeira! 🤣 I remember reading about how this area got its name, but had forgotten about it!
Finally depth of 50 m . Part of European network of important community sites natural 2000 sem i arid climate, exposure to north wind.have sculptured low vegetation and explain lack of trees which distinguish area of rest of island and veritable natural heritage. In sea you may be lucky to spot world forest sea . Ad sea monks monachus . On horizon to south you can see desert ad deserted islands to north port to santo island .from stone wall of bay abra entire area belong to regional government integrating Madeira natural park . Thank you for giving us chance to read learn new information explore places unknown to us. Bon voyage best wishes for you your family friends.
@WhenAdventureKnox
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Hi Khatoon. I loved how the winds sculpted the land to have such low vegetation - just gave a very different feel to the rest of the island. I'd have loved to spot Monk Seals, but it wasn't to be sadly! Best wishes to your family and friends too, especially during Ramadan رَمَضان مُبارَك 🙏
How are you doing mrs Caroline thank you for sharing your trips with . Iam so happy with every volgs of your channel I learn new information, new vocabularies as well . As always iam gathering main information about place you visited briefly here it’s I looked up for meaning of rock pool or called tide pool are rocky pools by sea there are intertidal zone . Sea creatures organisms a limpets, Star fish , sea wood . Portugal is famous for sardines fish it’s started with Saint Anthony, Lisbon patron saint . Legend say that fish listened to his sermon he took as sign of god . Portuguese sardines is so expensive because can only done by hand without machine. Sardines season there September, April, October,most famous sardine conservas pinhais .
@WhenAdventureKnox
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Hi Khatoon, I'm well thank you, I hope you are too! Surprisingly, I never ate any of the sardines during our visit, but I did eat a lot of seafood. I tried limpets, but wasn't a fan. They were not too dissimilar to mussels, but a lot more chewy which was a bit off putting.