Pedreira do Pico de Ana Ferreira

Pedreira do Pico de Ana Ferreira is a former quarry in the municipality of Vila Baleira on Porto Santo, and one of the most striking geological sites in the Madeira archipelago. The regional geodiversity portal lists it as geosite PSt04, a volcanology stop. Its draw is a wall of regular rock columns left exposed by the old workings.

What will you see at the quarry?

The quarry face shows columnar jointing: the rock has split into almost perfectly shaped pillars. The effect resembles the basalt organ formations found elsewhere in the world, but here the rock is mugearite, a type of volcanic lava. The columns formed as magma cooled inside a volcanic conduit and contracted, cracking into a regular pattern. Mugearite proved tougher than the surrounding rock, so erosion stripped away the neighbours and left the pillars standing.

Pico de Ana Ferreira is one of several volcanic hills on Porto Santo. Do not confuse it with the island's other peaks, such as Pico do Castelo or Pico do Facho.

Is the site protected?

Yes. The municipal master plan treats the quarry as property of public interest and municipal value, and as geological scientific heritage. Regional Resolution 592/99 also classifies it as natural cultural heritage of regional importance. In practice, leave the walls as you find them: no collecting rock samples and no climbing on the columns.

How do you get there, and how long does it take?

The Madeira geodiversity portal describes access as an easy, short walk from a paved road. You do not need hiking gear, though the ground around the quarry can be stony. The best view of the columns is from the Miradouro da Pedreira viewpoint, close to the Porto Santo Golf course. From the town of Vila Baleira you can reach it by car, bike or taxi, and about fifteen minutes is enough to take in the rock.

When should you visit?

Porto Santo has a mild, sunny climate, so the rock can be seen year-round. Light is best for photos in the morning and late afternoon, when low sun picks out the rhythm of the columns. In summer around midday bring water and a hat, because the exposed hillside offers no shade.

What else can you combine with the visit?

The quarry fits neatly into a longer island day. Porto Santo's other volcanic formations, its beach stretching for several kilometres and hilltop viewpoints make it easy to build a route that mixes sightseeing and rest. Local lore also links the area to a cave where an illegitimate daughter of King John II was supposedly hidden from pirates. It is a folk tale, not documented history, but guides like to tell it.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee? No fee is listed for the site, which is an open geological stop.

Is the walk difficult? No. It is short and easy, starting from a paved road.

Where is the best viewpoint for the columns? Miradouro da Pedreira, near the golf course.

What kind of rock is it? Mugearite, a volcanic rock that cracked into regular columns inside a volcanic conduit.

Is the site protected? Yes, as natural and geological heritage of regional importance.