My 5 Favourite Alternatives To Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8) in Madeira
If there’s one thing I’ll always be honest about, it’s that I don’t consider Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8) to be the best coastal hike in Madeira.
It’s beautiful, yes, but also so crowded. For me, that takes away from the experience of hiking.
After doing 22+ hikes in Madeira, I have a few hikes that I like to recommend as alternatives to Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8). I’m finally putting them down on paper, with the pictures to prove it!
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Quick Answer: What Are the Best Alternatives to Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8) in Madeira?
The best alternative to the Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço hike is Vereda do Larano. It’s less-crowded and just as spectacular, clinging to the island’s steep east-coast cliffs.
My second favourite alternative is the Caminho Real to the São Cristóvão Viewpoint, a beautiful coastal trail in Arco de São Jorge.
For views of the São Lourenço peninsula instead, try out the Pico do Facho and Praia Ribeira Do Natal hike in Machico or the little-known Levada do Caniçal.
- Best PR8 alternative overall: Vereda do Larano
- Best lesser-known hike: Caminho Real to the São Cristóvão Viewpoint
- Best for variety (mountains and coast): Pico do Facho and Praia Ribeira do Natal
- Best for views of São Lourenço: Levada do Caniçal
- Best for a Madeira bucket list: Vereda do Arieiro (PR1)
Why You Might Want to find An Alternative to The Iconic PR8 hike in Madeira
- If you want to avoid crowds: The PR8 is one of the most crowded trails I’ve done in Madeira. It took away from my enjoyment, majorly! I’d much rather do another hike that’s less-busy than get stuck behind large groups.
- If it’s too challenging: With 6.8 km and an elevation gain of 274 metres, it’s not for everyone. Most people take about 2 to 4 hours to complete the hike, and it has a lot of up and down.
- If you want to get off the beaten track: Madeira has so much to offer away from its popular trails. There are much quieter coastal hikes that have equally as beautiful scenery.
The 5 Best Alternatives to The PR8 hike In Madeira (Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço)
1. Vereda do Larano and Boca do Risco: Best Overall PR8 Alternative
- Distance: 9.8 km
- Elevation gain: 953 m
- Time estimate: 4 – 5 hours
- Trail type: Out-and-back
- Booking required? No
- View route map on AllTrails
If you ask me, Vereda do Larano is the best coastal hike in Madeira. I’ve done both this and PR8, and I’d choose Larano every time!
Like the PR8, it clings to the east coast. However, instead of following a barren, burnt-orange peninsula, it’s towered over by steep, green cliffs.
The views are absolutely gorgeous, especially around Boca do Risco, where the path climbs higher above the Atlantic Ocean.
The other big difference is the crowds. While the PR8 attracts masses of hikers, Vereda do Larano is much quieter.
I’ve done it three times. Two out of the three, there were barely any other hikers in sight. One time, in peak summer, I did get stuck behind a big group but that’s fairly unusual.
It usually happens when the PR1 hiking trail is closed and tours take them to Vereda do Larano instead!
Vereda do Larano is not necessarily an easier alternative to PR8. The route I’ve linked is 9.8 kilometres with 953 metres of elevation gain, and there are some narrow, exposed sections with steep drops. I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re afraid of heights!
2. Caminho Real to the São Cristóvão Viewpoint: Best Lesser-Known Hike
- Distance: 4.3 km
- Elevation gain: 298 m
- Time estimate: 1.5 – 2 hours
- Trail type: Out-and-back
- Booking required? No
- View route map on AllTrails
Another of my favourite PR8 alternatives is the Caminho Real to the São Cristóvão Viewpoint, near Arco de São Jorge on Madeira’s northeast coast.
This is even less well-known and a stark contrast to the crowds of the São Lourenço hike!
Once again, instead of the dry, orange cliffs of Ponta de São Lourenço, you’re on a path along steep green cliffs with the ocean below.
I particularly love how different the scenery is here. The coastline feels much greener and more rugged, the path itself cobbled and zig-zagging down to a bar in the valley below.
It’s also shorter than the PR8, at just 4.3 kilometres, with 298 metres of elevation gain. Most of the climb is on the return trip!
3. Pico do Facho (Machico) and Praia Ribeira Do Natal: Best For Variety
- Distance: 3.2 km
- Elevation gain: 362 m
- Time estimate: 2 – 2.5 hours
- Trail type: Out-and-back
- Booking required? No
- View route map on AllTrails
At points, I found that the PR8 can feel like same-same. The views, while beautiful, are mostly the same: burnt-orange cliffs, ocean and the distant island.
If you fancy doing a coastal hike with a bit more variety, I recommend the Pico do Facho hike in Machico.
Specifically, though, I recommend doing the extended route from Machico Beach to Pico do Facho to Ribeira Do Natal beach in Caniçal.
On this final stretch to Ribeira Do Natal, you get incredible views of the São Lourenço peninsula in the distance.
The full route to and from Caniçal is about 8.8 kilometres and 951 metres of elevation gain, so if you’re not up for the whole hike, you can take the bus back from Caniçal to Machico (no. 113 from the SAM bus stop), making it a point-to-point hike.
You can also choose to just hike from Machico Beach to Pico Facho and back, which is 3.2 kilometres and 362 metres of elevation gain. You get a small glimpse of the peninsula, but mainly have views over Machico Bay and from the summit mountains like Pico do Arieiro on a clear day.
For all the details, including bus timings and the different routes, read my guide to hiking Pico do Facho.
4. Levada do Caniçal: Best For Views of São Lourenço
- Distance: 8.3 km
- Elevation gain: 426 m
- Time estimate: 3 – 3.5 hours
- Trail type: Out-and-back
- Booking required? No
- View route map on AllTrails
The best views of Ponta de São Lourenço are, in my experience, from Levada do Caniçal.
This is a hike that’s not well-known at all, and one that I only did because I lived in Machico for 4+ months and found myself running out of local hikes to do!
It follows the levada above the fishing town of Caniçal (the gateway to São Lourenço). Pretty much the whole way, you get views of the gorgeous peninsula and the town’s terracotta tile roofs.
The great part is, you can hike as far as you fancy. When I did it, I didn’t see any other hikers on the trail. You do need a car to get to it, though. Park on the small road next to the trailhead (space is limited).
5. Vereda do Arieiro (PR1): Best For a Madeira Bucket List
- Distance: 8.5 km
- Elevation gain: 778 metres
- Time estimate: 4.5 – 5 hours
- Trail type: Point-to-point
- Booking required? Yes
- View route map on AllTrails
If you’re busy completing your Madeira bucket list, the best PR8 alternative has to be Vereda do Arieiro (PR1). Alongside the PR8, it’s one of Madeira’s most iconic hikes!
It’s nothing like the São Lourenço trail, of course. It’s high in the clouds, tracing a challenging route between two of the island’s highest mountains.
You’ll walk the mountain path, surrounded by tall and dramatic mountains, and pass through tunnels, rock archways and intimidatingly steep drops.
Do this hike instead of the PR8 if you’re on a short trip to Madeira. In my opinion, it’s much more memorable. You will, however, need good conditions; it’s best done throughout summer.
Still, it’s absolutely worth it if you’re fit, confident on exposed paths and go in with realistic expectations.
Read my full guide to hiking the PR1 for exactly how to get there, what to expect and whether to go at sunrise or late morning.
It’s a point-to-point trail, so you’ll need a PR1 hiking transfer or you can take the same guided tour I did!
