PR8 Ponta São Lourenço Caniçal Self-Guided Hiking Transfer
Description
This experience includes two slots, although its recommended to do the sunrise slot (06.15am) to be able to witness an incredible experience. Guests will hike at their own pace, along the Atlantic Ocean, on a UNESCO Partial Reserve Hike. Its likely to encounter native terrain and sea species if weather allows. With pick up and drop of at accommodation (Funchal, Caniço, Santa Cruz and Machico, you will not have to worry about logistics, we will take care of everything for you. This experience can be enjoyed by families, friends, the younger or the the seniores, allowing guests to take in the nature, the norther views, the sea breeze and landscapes of a very different area of the Madeira Island. Not only you are able to enjoy a hike, you are also able to do water activities at the end of the 1st part of the hike - Cais do Sardinha area.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Starting point and collection of guests -city centers of Funchal, Caniço, Santa Cruz and Machico
This area is considered a partial Natural Reserve, by UNESCO. Upon arrival, you will receive hike instructions and map explanation. Here you will present your ticket for the hike (you can pre pay online or buy upon arrival). It will be a 4.5 hour trail for +7m. You will encounter the restaurant Cais do Sardinha, at the end of the 1st part of the trail.
Drop-of of all guests at the same place as pick up - city centers of Funchal, Caniço, Santa Cruz, Machico.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
The day before the hike, please updated and confirm your pick up location. The average pickup time is on the voucher, however it will depend on the number of participants and pickup locations. You receive the day before, the vehicle description and driver name.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(12)
We had a very good time doing this incredible hike along the cliffside, on the peninsula. The advice and recommendations from our driver Filipe were very useful to us, both for the hike and for the iconic spots on the island and the places not to be missed.
The hiking trail is definitely worth it. Great views, great photos. Unfortunately, the path is completely overcrowded despite the hiking fee, which unfortunately takes away the joy of hiking. The hike could be booked at short notice with the provider, but unfortunately not with the tax authority. Fortunately, the provider stepped in. That causes a lot of wasted time. Nerve. One should sell the tour including tax. In retrospect, one must go, but not with 10,000 people. The driver was punctual but should reconsider his driving style. Perhaps he wanted to impress the girls.
Must see on Madeira, worth all the stairs! Views are something else, if you like going up- going down it’s def fun to do. Also: on a very hot day bring more than enough water & snacks it gets HOT :)
The sunrise hike was beautiful and a relatively easy trail. Marco gave us detailed instructions on where to see the sunrise and options to either come back to the starting point or take the boat to a hotel where you can also be picked up.
I regret booking this. I messaged them ahead of time and they said it would be 4 hours between drop off and pickup, consistent with their listing. The driver also said we could leave early if everyone was there and said or heavily implied he’d be there by around 3 hours later because the hike should be 2.5-3 hours. He didn’t actually pick us up until 5.25+ hours later though so the entire group sat around for over an hour and a half waiting (I waited 2 hours unfortunately and I was not even walking fast). I watched 3 separate #113 busses pick people up while we were waiting for the driver. Pretty bad when a city bus would be faster and more convenient. The driver did pick everyone up from the hotel on time. The hike itself is beautiful. The driver was also flexible and dropped people off wherever they wanted which was nice for those that didn’t want to be dropped at the hotel. In general a huge amount of wasted time though. If you want to do this hike it would be cheaper and more convenient to uber there and ride the bus back.
Good way to do PR8 in own pace. Stunning scenery during the hike. Friendly driver with good local knowledge. Transport was practical and seatbelt was too tight for a comfortable car journey. Good response and information before the trip. Originally booked for 9:15am and informed to have 10:20am pick up time at hotel without any reason. Time allowed (under 4 hours) to complete the trail (6km in total back and forth) was tight as it was recommended to do 2.5 hours one way, so felt rushed on the way back.
The driver was very friendly, giving explanations of the intersecting places on the way. For the hike also, provided details to have a nice hike.
Had a great experience. Felipe is such a kind soul, and it was very fun to be driven by him. He clearly explained everything we needed to know for the hike multiple times. He also gave a lot of great advice on things to do and food to try in Madeira. You can tell he loves what he does, and that made the experience all the better. As for the hike, it's stunning! Very doable and easy.
The first ride with this provider was good so I booked my second transfer here as well. Philippe came to pick me up again. This time also had a nice ride in the minivan. Route explained again, spot for the sunrise as a tip and what time we were picked up again. There was a strong wind that day and certainly on some stretches on top of the cliffs. The views are magnificent on the hiking route. Do take into account a lot of stairs up and down. It is described as easy family walk, but your legs (and knees) should be in good shape. Again the views are amazing! Mountains, cliffs, ocean. Great. I walked very early, on the way back it was a lot busier. So if you like peace and quiet I would definitely take the sunrise option!
It was very nice and very well organized. Cristiano - our driver was very friendly and always arrived on time and gave us a lot of great recommendations. Thank you!
