The Cabo São Lourenço peninsula caught my eye during a rather harrowing landing two days ago. Well, “landing” might be a bit of an understatement—let’s say I “fell,” “dropped,” or even “plummeted” onto the runway. Kudos to the pilots though, they did a stellar job—I even gave them a round of applause. After three attempts, we finally touched down at Funchal Airport. That gave me at least two chances to admire the stunning cliffs of the peninsula. Of course, it was freezing cold, raining, and nothing like the experience I’m having today.
Ah, from the bustling Pico do Arieiro, I made my way to the even more crowded Cabo do Sao Lourenco. Today’s sky is a brilliant blue, a long-awaited moment for many locals and tourists. With everyone vying for parking, I initially attempted to reach the road’s end but quickly realized it was a lost cause. So, I retraced my steps a couple of kilometers and managed to squeeze my rented “smal-small” into the packed parking lot in front of Quinta do Lorde. Space was limited, but I found a way to fit in.
As I stroll along the paved road, I notice everyone making the same mistake I did—driving to the road’s end, then turning around and heading back before finally parking a few kilometers away. Nevertheless, the coastline is stunning. I catch sight of Pico do Furado with its intriguing arch at the base, along with the imposing cliffs. With such promising sights already, I can’t help but anticipate even more impressive views today.
On my way to Pico do Furado, I decide to take a quick detour to the Ponta de São Lourenço peak. It may not be the highest, but who can resist soaking up the Madeira sunshine and enjoying those stunning cliff views? Spotting a faint trail from one of the viewpoints, I choose to ascend. When it’s time to descend, I opt to continue along the cliff line instead of retracing my steps.
The summit slope is pretty steep, with some broken stairs forcing many people to climb parallel to them. It’s scorching hot today, making the climb even more challenging for some. At the summit, there are about thirty other people enjoying the views—gorgeous vistas of the islets, Madeira, and the cliffs. Let’s sum it up: nice views all around. After snapping a few photos and taking a sip of my drink, I start heading back along the same route. I pick up the pace, partly running and overtaking slower groups along the way.
Despite the crowds, I highly recommend this trail. And trust me, on a sunny day, it promises to be a memorable experience. I’m buzzing with 110% energy, and since it’s still early afternoon, I’m off to conquer the next peaks—Pico do Castanho, Pico da Coroa, Penha d’Águia, and I’ll wrap it up with a nighttime view from Pico do Facho.
