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- Vereda da Ponta de S. Lourenço 4.7 Directions
This is a community route mapped on AllTrails — it is not part of Madeira's official PR trail network managed by IFCN (the regional government's forests and nature-conservation authority), so it has no official open/closed status and no maintenance or signage guarantee. Check access and conditions locally before setting out.
| Distance | 4.0 km |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Route type | Point to point |
| Estimated time | 1.5–2 hours |
| Area | Madeira Natural Park |
| Community rating | 4.2★ from 91 hiker reviews on AllTrails |
The trail begins in the town of Machico and climbs up to the summit of Pico do Facho, a hill overlooking the bay and surrounding mountains with stunning views. The path is well-marked with a mix of uphill and downhill sections, including some rocky and steep parts. Along the way you'll pass through laurel trees and spot Madeiran firecrest birds and lizards. The trail ends at Ribeira do Natal, a seasonal stream valley near Machico.
⚠️ Note: This community route is Machico → Ribeira do Natal only (4 km). It does not continue all the way to Caniçal. If you want a longer route that links the Machico/Caniçal area, see the related trails below.
Directions ↗ — routes from your own location to the trailhead.
If you're looking for a trail that connects Machico and Caniçal more directly, these community routes cover that stretch:
| Trail | Distance | Difficulty | Rating | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rota da Boca do Risco – Levada do Caniçal | 13.5 km (loop) | Hard | 4.5★ (106 reviews) | AllTrails |
| Vereda Boca do Risco Caniçal – Levada do Caniçal | 14.6 km (loop) | Hard | 4.7★ (168 reviews) | AllTrails |
| Caniçal's Levada – Larano Footpath | 26.6 km (out & back) | Hard | 4.7★ (398 reviews) | AllTrails |
All three are community routes (not official IFCN PR trails) — they have no official open/closed status.
The nearest official IFCN trail in the area is PR 8 – Vereda da Ponta de S. Lourenço (roughly 5 km from Machico by car), a moderately difficult 4 km (+ 4 km return) coastal walk on the eastern peninsula — one of Madeira's most popular rated trails (4.7★, ~8,000 reviews on AllTrails), with an access fee of €4.50 via the SIMplifica portal.
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