Funchal Trip Overview
The trail follows S. Lourenço Point, the eastern-most peninsula of Madeira island, named after the caravel sailed by João Gonçalves de Zarco, one of the three discoverers of Madeira island.
The semi-arid climate and its exposure to North winds have sculpted the low vegetation and explain the lack of trees, which distinguish this area from the rest of the Island and is a veritable natural heritage. Here you can see the Island’s basal plate at its best and several rare and endemic plants. Of the 138 species of plant identified on the peninsula, 31 are endemic (exclusive) to Madeira island. In terms of fauna there is one of the largest colonies of seagull in the region.
Along the route you can often see several bird species. In the sea, you may be lucky enough to spot the world’s rarest seal, known in Madeira as a Sea-wolf (Monachus monachus).
On the horizon to the South you can see Ilhas Desertas (Deserted Islands) and to the North the Porto Santo Islands.
Additional Info
* Duration: 6 to 7 hours
* Starts: Funchal, Portugal
* Trip Category: Day Trips & Excursions >> Day Trips
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What to Expect When Visiting Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
The trail follows S. Lourenço Point, the eastern-most peninsula of Madeira island, named after the caravel sailed by João Gonçalves de Zarco, one of the three discoverers of Madeira island.
The semi-arid climate and its exposure to North winds have sculpted the low vegetation and explain the lack of trees, which distinguish this area from the rest of the Island and is a veritable natural heritage. Here you can see the Island’s basal plate at its best and several rare and endemic plants. Of the 138 species of plant identified on the peninsula, 31 are endemic (exclusive) to Madeira island. In terms of fauna there is one of the largest colonies of seagull in the region.
Along the route you can often see several bird species. In the sea, you may be lucky enough to spot the world’s rarest seal, known in Madeira as a Sea-wolf (Monachus monachus).
On the horizon to the South you can see Ilhas Desertas (Deserted Islands) and to the North the Porto Santo Islands.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Ponta de Sao Lourenco, Baia da Abra, Machico, Madeira Portugal
This walk runs along the eastern peninsula of the Madeira Island, where you can watch a different vegetation from the rest of the island, with a lack of trees and low vegetation.
The Ponta de São Lourenço is classified as a partial natural reserve and part of the European network of important community sites – Natura 2000.
In this place nests several protected seabirds such as the Cory’s Shearwater, the Madeiran Storm-Petrel, the Bulwer’s Petrel and the Common Tern. We can see other bird species such as the Berthelow’s Pipit, the Goldfinch and the Canary.
Along the way we are amazed by fantastic sceneries, with the Deserted Islands in the south and the islands of Porto Santo in the north (if the weather permits). From this walk is possible to see the northern and southern coasts of Madeira Island. When arriving to the end of this path we find the “Casa do Sardinha”, support to the
vigilantes of the Natural Park of Madeira.
After a few minutes of rest, we return by the same path.
Duration: 6 hours
