Arco De São Jorge: Hiking, Coast and Culture

For your trip to Arco de São Jorge, hiking trails, viewpoints, and themes related to viticulture and roses offer a range of options. Two trails can be compared by length, duration, and moderate difficulty; the Caminho da Entrosa offers a different focus with its route and maritime views.

Hiking trails and their different highlights

The Vereda da Ribeira Funda – Terras de Fora is 1.3 kilometres long, takes one hour, and is of moderate difficulty. It ends at Terras de Fora in Arco de São Jorge, by the sea. Along the way, the trail passes traces of the Laurissilva forest. The nature highlights described are therefore found at different points along the route: traces of forest along the way and the coast at the end.

The Vereda do Museu do Vinho e da Vinha is 2.6 kilometres long and takes 1 hour and 20 minutes; it is also of moderate difficulty. It leads from the Miradouro da Beira da Quinta to the Museu do Vinho e da Vinha. At the beginning, visitors can observe some Laurissilva species, and later the trail passes agricultural land. At the destination, visitors can learn about the grape harvest process in the museum. The route is twice as long as the Vereda da Ribeira Funda – Terras de Fora, but its stated duration is only 20 minutes longer. This makes it possible to compare the distance and time required for the two trails directly.

The Caminho da Entrosa begins on the ER 101 in Arco de São Jorge and ends on the Caminho da Barreira in São Cristóvão in Boaventura. It offers maritime views of Madeira’s north coast as far as São Cristóvão. For planning purposes, two types of information can therefore be considered side by side: the route measurements of the two Veredas and the route and coastal views of the Caminho da Entrosa.

Viewpoints on the north coast

The Miradouro da Beira da Quinta is located between São Jorge and Arco de São Jorge; its expansive view is particularly focused on Arco. From there, visitors can also see large stretches of Madeira’s northwest coast in the direction of Porto Moniz, as well as coastal cliffs around 500 metres high. The viewpoint is at an elevation of 469 metres. On a clear day, you can also see Porto Santo. The coastal view and the distant panorama, which depends on visibility, offer different perspectives on the surrounding area.

The Miradouro do Cabo Aéreo has a picnic area and offers a privileged view of the crystal-clear sea. The viewpoint takes its name from a cable that is still visible there. In the past, the cable helped farmers and fishermen transport their goods. These included sugar cane, which was then taken by sea to the sugar mills. The history of the place can thus be understood through the former means of transport and how it was used.

Viticulture and roses

The Museu do Vinho e da Vinha is housed in a restored old wine cellar. It mainly displays viticulture equipment donated by residents of the region. The museum also has a tasting area for regional products such as bolo de mel and Broas da Madeira. The same building thus showcases both the tools used in viticulture and regional specialities.

The Roseiral da Quinta do Arco features more than 1,500 varieties of roses. Visitors can see old and contemporary climbing roses, as well as roses that do not climb. Rare varieties are labelled with their name and class. The collection can therefore be appreciated not only for its size but also for its different groups of roses. The World Federation of Rose Societies has awarded the garden the distinction “Garden of Excellence.”

Discover more destinations: Campo De Cima, Funchal, Câmara De Lobos, Vila Baleira, Ponta Do Pargo, Campanário, Madalena Do Mar, São Vicente

For the main travel overview: Madeira.