PR30
Above the sunniest town on the island
Vereda da Ponta do Sol: 4 km of coastal vereda climbing from Ponta do Sol up to the Lombada area. Steep, sunny, with constant views over the south-west coast. Free, manageable in a morning, often skipped because there is no fee.
Curated by
Filipe Pereira
Founder & Lead Curator
Issued 2026-05-16
Valid through June 2026
01 · At a glance
The vitals
What you need to know about Vereda da Ponta do Sol before you book or set out.
Distance
4 km
Duration
1.5-2 h
Elevation gain
350 m
Difficulty
Moderate
Exposure
3/5
Type
Vereda
Status, May 2026
Open
Open year-round 2026. No restrictions. The cobbled lower section was re-laid in spring 2025.
Best season
Winter, spring, autumn
Summer is genuinely hot - 30°C+ on the exposed sections with no shade. Winter is the sweet spot: warm enough for shorts, cool enough to climb. Spring and autumn are also good.
“The sunny coast Madeira doesn't advertise on the cooler trails - PR30 leans into the brightness.”
02 · Getting to the trailhead
How to reach the start
Map placeholder
Start: Ponta do Sol · End: Lombada
By car from Funchal
About 30 minutes via VR1 west to Ponta do Sol. Coastal route.
Parking
Paid municipal parking near the Ponta do Sol harbour. Free street parking further from the centre.
Public transport
Rodoeste bus 4, 7 reach Ponta do Sol regularly.
Operator pickup
Not common as a standalone. Sometimes bundled with PR19 for a west-coast vereda day.
Taxi or transfer
Funchal to Ponta do Sol one-way €25-35.
Tip from Filipe
Ponta do Sol is the southernmost and sunniest town on Madeira - over 300 sun days/year. Bring sun protection regardless of season. The town itself is worth lingering after the hike.
Driving yourself
Madeira rental from Funchal Airport, around €25-40/day in May
We use DiscoverCars to compare local agencies. Trailhead access on most PR routes is easier with a car.
https://www.discovercars.com/portugal/funchal?a_aid=Madeirahiking¤cy=eur&utm_source=Madeirahiking&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=pdf-pr30
03 · Route walkthrough
Section by section
Distances, landmarks, and what to expect underfoot.
0.0 - 1.0 km
0:25
Ponta do Sol harbour to the first ascent
Trail starts from the town centre near the church. Steep cobbled streets climb past whitewashed houses and the famous pebble beach below.
1.0 - 2.5 km
0:50
Steep coastal climb
Cobbled vereda climbs the hillside above the town. Views back over Ponta do Sol harbour become more dramatic. Some exposed sections with stone walls.
Steep gradient. Trekking pole helps.
2.5 - 4.0 km
0:35
Lombada plateau
Trail flattens onto the Lombada agricultural area - vines, banana plantations, the upper plateau above the coast. Views west toward Calheta.
04 · Gear and safety
What to bring and when to bail
Required
- Hiking shoes with grip
- Sun protection - hat and sunscreen
- Water: 1.5 L (more in summer)
- Light layer
Recommended
- Trekking pole
- Sunglasses
- Camera for the coastal views
- Cash for Ponta do Sol cafes
Heat is the real hazard
No shade for 80% of the route. In summer, plan to finish by 11:00 or start at 16:00. Heat stroke is the most common issue.
Steep cobbled ascent
350 m gain in 2.5 km. Cobble underfoot is harder on feet than dirt. Trekking pole transfers load.
Exposed coastal sections
Some traverses on the cliff face with mild exposure. Stone walls protect most drops; some sections do not.
Signal good
Strong cellular throughout - coastal coverage is dense.
Emergency: 112
Coverage along this route is patchy. Walk-out points: back to Ponta do Sol town (km 0, full services) or Lombada plateau (km 4, residential area). Easy access throughout.
05 · Fees and booking
Two paths to the trailhead
Path A · DIY
Book on SIMplifica
Free
per person
- No permit required - PR30 is free.
- No SIMplifica booking.
- Just walk from Ponta do Sol church square.
Path B · Protocol operator
Skip the portal
Free
per person, fee included in tour
Not a common operator product. Often combined with PR19 for a west-coast vereda day if you do book through an operator.
Protocol operators running this trail
Madeira Local Guide - Paulo Jesus
PT/EN · Private only · €66-114
+351 XXX XXX XXX
tripadvisor.com/madeira-local-guide
Up Mountain Madeira
PT/EN/DE · Max 8 people · €40-120
+351 925 964 335
upmountainmadeira.com
Explore Nature
PT/EN · Small groups · €27-80
+351 964 851 693
explorenature.pt
Path C · Marketplace listing
Browse Guided Madeira Hiking Tours
From €30 · Various · ⭐ 4.7
If you cannot reach a protocol partner, GetYourGuide aggregates tours from multiple operators with free 24h cancellation. Independent listing - not a preferred channel for this trail.
https://www.getyourguide.com/madeira-l67/hiking-tc71/?partner_id=2VCHGBU&utm_medium=online_publisher&cmp=pdf-pr30
06 · After the hike
What to do with the rest of the day
Pair it with
Ponta do Sol harbour and beach
Black-pebble beach, calm summer water, beach bars. Reward for the climb.
Madalena do Mar
Five minutes west along the coast. Smaller, quieter beach. The "John Lennon house" rumour town.
Calheta cultural centre
Fifteen minutes west. Modern art museum + harbour restaurants.
Common questions
Why is Ponta do Sol called the sunniest?
It faces south and is sheltered from north-coast cloud. Official measurements: 300+ sun days per year, the highest on Madeira.
Can I swim in Ponta do Sol after the hike?
Yes - the beach is calm in summer. Pebble underfoot but the water is warm by Madeira standards (20-23°C in summer).
How long does PR30 take?
2 hours up, 1.5 hours down, plus stops. Half-day total. Easy to combine with a long lunch in town.
Live trail status
madeirahiking.org/trails/pr30
Conditions change. The live page is verified against ICNF announcements and re-checked on a rolling cadence. Refresh before you set out.
May 2026 edition · issued 2026-05-16 · MadeiraHiking.org · Curated by Filipe Pereira
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