Sao Lourenco - get ready for the trip

The most eastern point of Madeira - Ponta de Sao Lourenco

As might have already read in my blog about Madeira, the island is very small, so it does not take that much time to go around the whole island. Many people like to visit some specific points like the most eastern, northern, western and southern points of the place they visit. Madeira has much to offer – a beautiful nature, interesting villages, traditional events and sport events. So if you decide to visit the most eastern part of the island, you will go to Ponta de Sao Lourenco.

Picture: Let us get to Ponta de Sao Lourenco.

How to get there?

It is quite easy to visit many places when you rent a car, however, there are also some places you can easily reach by bus. One of them is right the place of today’s topic. So if you star your journey in Funchal, you should go to a bus stop which is just behind the roundabout Praca de Autonomia. So if you know where the principal Mercado dos Lavradores is or where Anadia is, there are two rivers connecting and heading to the sea. So you have to wait for a bus on the side of the road which is closer to the sea. There you will see “SAM Paragem” which is a bus stop for buses of SAM company.

When and for how much?

The bus number 113 leaves Funchal at 7:30, 8:30 (no bus on Sundays), 9:00, (10:30 on Sundays and Saturdays only), 11:30, 12:15 (not on Sundays), 14:30 (not on Sundays), (15:00 only on Sundays), 15:30 (not on Sundays) and then even later, but honestly, you would not have enough time for doing the walk. Make sure what timetable (horário) the bus follows – what day it is. When I mention Sundays, it includes also days of public holiday.

The journey takes approximately one hour and fifteen minutes. Do not stress if the bus comes a little bit later, it starts its journey in a different part of Funchal, so it might take 5 – 10 minutes to get to this bus stop.

It costs between 3 and 4 Euros – one way ticket. You can buy it right on the bus. The bus driver will sell it to you and I recommend you saying whether you want to buy only a one way (só ida) or a return ticket (ida e volta). When going there, you should ask for a ticket to Baía d’Abra. It is the last stop of the ride and you will recognise the place quickly. There is a roundabout, so the bus would go back. Moreover, there are usually many people heading to this destination, so you can get off when they do as well. And of course, the bus driver would not let you stay on the bus, he would inform you that that would be the point where you wanted to get to.

Picture: You start the track in Baía d'Abra with beautiful views.

What to do when reach Baía d’Abra?

Just start your track. You cannot get lost there, and as mentioned above, there are usually many tourists, so you have always someone to ask or follow to. There is a path which will take you to the eastern point – Ponta de Sao Lourenco.

The path is 4 kilometres long, but there are different altitudes (between 5 and 110 metres above the sea level).  You will walk through some muddy parts (when raining), some stones, some stairs, some dusty parts, but you will have amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean during the whole journey because the path will lead you along the coast line and next to some cliffs. It takes approximately 2,5 hours to get to the final point but of course, it depends on your speed of walking/running.

Is the path easy?

This track is in the middle difficult section. It is quite easy to walk it, but quite frankly, the last part when you have to ascend many steep stairs is quite hard. Though, you may always stop, breathe in and out, relax and then continue up.

There is nothing on the way but the only bar/restaurant which is located right below the last hill. You will see this building of the snack-bar from a fair distance, so then you can decide whether you want to turn there or continue without a break.

Remember, when you will get to the desired point, you will still see a land in front of you. However, it is not possible to get there walking. So Ponta de Sao Lourenco is the eastern-most part where people can get while hiking. Anyway, it is a really satisfying point of view.

Picture: Some parts are easier, some more difficult. But you can always have a break.

Where to continue next?

As mentioned above, it is not possible to continue anywhere further. So now, you should enjoy being where you wanted to be and next turn back. You should walk the whole track back (those four kilometres). So, you may decide to stop in the snack-bar now, or simply continue.

There are two ways to walk for a little while (maybe O,5 km). One is more or less in the same altitude level, the other one will take you downhill and then you will have to walk a bit more up. So you can decide which path you will choose.

Then, you will get to the point where you started your journey. There you can also wait for the bus to take you back to Funchal. Sometimes, there is also a bar on wheels, so if you are thirsty or want to have a snack (like crisps or some chocolate bars) you have a chance to buy it there.

Picture: It is not possible to continue but the view is astonishing.

How to get back to Funchal?

When travelling by bus, the timetable says the bus leaves Baía d’Abra at 11:30, 12:00, 12:55, 13:55, 15, 16:00, 17:00, 18:15 and the last bus leaves for Funchal at 19:35. But take into account that this is valid just from Monday to Friday.

During the weekends there are less buses, but each leaves every one or one and a half hour. On Saturdays, there is last bus at 19:35 and on Sundays and public holiday days at 18:15. You can always check the timetable on SAM website.

And what now?

Just relax on the bus. Sometimes you will have to change a bus in Machico, so keep your ticket otherwise you will have to pay again!

When you arrive in Funchal, go and get some sleep or continue exploring Funchal.

What to bring with me?

• Comfortable sporty clothes and shoes,
• enough water for the whole or half of the day,
• a snack or even a lunch in a box,
• sunglasses,
• sunscreen cream (in spring, summer, autumn and winter!),
• a cap,
• a raincoat (in case it rains – you have no place to hide except of the only snack-bar).

Ready for this trip? Enjoy! I will share my experience from this hike in the next post.

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