PR8: Is Ponta de São Lourenço open today?

Watch the wind. Why it closes

São Lourenço is the one trail where the live status matters most. The peninsula is fully exposed with no shelter, so IFCN closes it when the north wind is strong — it can be open one day and shut the next.

• Check the status above the morning you go, not the night before. A booked slot is no use if it's closed for wind.
• No shade, no water, full sun — this is a semi-arid coast, not a green levada. Bring sun protection, a windproof layer and plenty of water.

Book it. PR8 on SIMplifica

1. Book your €4.50 slot on SIMplifica in advance, in a 30-minute window. Under-12s free but on the booking.
2. Go early or late. Midday sun on the exposed rock is brutal in summer; first or last slots are cooler and quieter.

Getting there. Baía d'Abra

The walk starts at Baía d'Abra, at the very eastern end of the island — about 45 minutes' drive from Funchal along the ER214.

• Park at the Baía d'Abra car park at the road's end; it fills up in high season.
• The path undulates along the peninsula — reddish, ochre volcanic rock and big sea views on both sides — out to Casa do Sardinha, with two islets beyond the tip.
• Look for seabirds and, if you're lucky, monk seals in the bays below.

Where to park for PR8?

Park at the small car park at Baía d'Abra, at the end of the road through Caniçal: free, according to 2026 visitor reports. It fills early in the season and cars then park along the approach road, so arrive early.

PR8 by bus

Getting there. Baía d'Abra, where the walk starts and ends, is a bus stop. CAM line 113 (new no. 702), Funchal → Baía d'Abra. Monday to Friday: 07:30 → 08:50, 08:30 → 09:50, 09:00 → 10:20, 11:00 → 12:30*, 11:30 → 12:50, 12:15 → 13:45, 14:30 → 15:55, 16:30 → 17:45, 18:15 → 19:40. Saturdays: 07:30 → 08:45, 08:30 → 09:45, 09:00 → 10:15, 10:30 → 11:55, 11:30 → 12:40, 12:15 → 13:30, 14:30 → 15:45, 15:30 → 16:45, 18:15 → 19:30. Sundays and holidays: 07:30 → 08:40, 09:00 → 10:15, 10:30 → 12:00, 11:30 → 12:55, 15:00 → 16:15*, 16:30 → 17:55*. * change bus at Machico.

Getting back. CAM line 113 (new no. 702), Baía d'Abra → Funchal. Monday to Friday: 09:20 → 10:45*, 10:30 → 12:00, 11:30 → 13:00, 12:00 → 13:15* (school holidays only), 12:00 → 13:45* (school term only), 12:55 → 14:15*, 13:55 → 15:15*, 15:00 → 16:15*, 16:00 → 17:15*, 17:00 → 18:15, 18:15 → 19:45, 19:35 → 21:05. Saturdays: 09:20 → 10:50, 10:30 → 12:00, 11:30 → 13:00, 13:00 → 14:30, 14:00 → 15:30, 16:00 → 17:30*, 17:00 → 18:30, 18:15 → 19:45, 19:35 → 21:05. Sundays and holidays: 09:20 → 10:50, 11:55 → 13:15, 14:00 → 15:30, 15:30 → 17:00, 17:00 → 18:30, 18:15 → 19:45. * change bus at Machico.

Times as printed on the operators' timetables published on SIGA, the Region's public transport site; times at intermediate stops are approximate. No buses on 25 December. Check before you travel.

What's the weather at Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8) now?

The status card above shows the latest measured reading from the IPMA São Lourenço station, the regional weather station nearest the trail: temperature, wind and whether it is likely in cloud. Expect the mountains cooler and cloudier than Funchal.

Weather near the trail (IPMA São Lourenço station, 09:10): 19 °C, wind 2 km/h.

Official weather warnings for the Madeira mountains: IPMA.

Closed or full? Your options

• If IFCN closes PR8 on your date, email helpdesk.ifcn@madeira.gov.pt within 10 working days with your tickets and invoice, and ask for a new date within a year or a refund. Rain or a change of plans doesn't count, and the SIMplifica contact centre can't change bookings.
• Better on a windy/hot day: check the live board — the shaded inland walks like 25 Fontes and Caldeirão Verde are the comfortable call.

Questions people ask

PR8: Is Ponta de São Lourenço open today?

Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8) is OPEN on IFCN's official trail-warnings list. The trail is often closed on high-wind days, so check the same morning. Access is €4.50 through the SIMplifica portal.

Why does São Lourenço close?

The peninsula is fully exposed to the north wind with no shelter, so IFCN closes PR8 when the wind is strong for safety. It can be open one day and closed the next — always check the live status the morning you plan to go.

Do you need to book São Lourenço?

Yes. PR8 requires an advance booking and €4.50 payment through SIMplifica, in a 30-minute entry slot. Children under 12 are free but must be on the booking.

Where do you park for São Lourenço?

At the Baía d'Abra car park at the very eastern end of the island (end of the ER214), about 45 minutes from Funchal. The trail starts there and heads out along the peninsula to Casa do Sardinha.