Madeira 360

Rutas October 14, 2021

Madeira 360 | 297 km + 8.530m

Located in the middle of Macaronesia, about 520 km from the African coast, is the island of Madeira. The island, which rises from the bottom of the Atlantic, reaches more than 1,800 meters at its highest point, a small area of 740 km2 where you can find different climates, contrasts and breathtaking views. From deep tropical forests and jungles to rocky beaches and super steep roads. Cliffs and hills surround the coast, so they had to build the airport on a promontory, considered one of the most dangerous airports in the world. And this is where we headed for our adventure.

DAY 1 - 80km +2.390m

We started in Funchal, the capital of Madeira, and it was a pleasant start... for 10 minutes. After that, we tried what was, at the time, the steepest road I have ever ridden. It was unbelievable, we had to ride zig-zag using the entire road. And we hadn't even left Funchal. So we can say that it was a tough start....

After suffering a bit more, we left the city and entered a less populated area, we started to see the green colors of Madeira. We were heading to Ponta de Sao Lourenço, the easternmost point of the island.

Ponta de Sao Lourenço is a completely treeless landscape where oranges and browns are the main colors. We drove until we could see the sharp rocks of volcanic origin.

We turned back and headed to Porto da Cruz, rolling down a steep 4 km pass, until we reached Miradouro do Curtado and down to Santana where we stopped for the first night.

DAY 2 - 70km +2.930m

This was the big day where we had a Horse Category climb of 12km, from sea level sea level to +1000m. We started in Santanta and riding along the ER101 road we passed through a more rural area where the houses were in the middle of the countryside. Small climbs and small descents, it was a good warm up for the day ahead.

We crossed the small towns of Sao Jorge, Boaventura and Ponta Delgada, nice road near the coast, all curves, ups and downs and a couple of tunnels and after a short steep climb, we reached the city of Sao Vicente.

We stop in Sao Vicente for a small snack and prepare for the biggest climb of the day, the Miradouro da Encumeada; from +0m to +1000m in only 12km, with an average gradient of 10% with some sections reaching 16%.

Even knowing what to expect, it was tough. We had never faced a climb like that before, the incline was incredible, but the scenery was unbeatable. It was as if they had built the road in the middle of the forest, so deep, so green and so full of life, you could hear a thousand birds.

After suffering a bit, we reached the top and you could see both the north and south coast of the island. You realize how steep the climb is when you start with 25ºC and sunny and when you get to the top it's all cloudy, the wind is cold and it's 12ºC.

It was time to descend, a 17km descent to the hotel for that night which was in Ponta do Sol (Ribeira Brava). It was nice to end the day with a fun and fast descent.

DAY 3 - 95km +1.840m

We started day 3 with a transfer from the hotel (Ponta do Sol) to Miradouro da Encumeada and rode a short road with a couple of tunnels and curves with nice views of the valley.

The sun was shining when we started pedaling but suddenly fog covered the whole valley and we had to put on our jackets. We were 16km from the sea, but at +1,200m from sea level the wind was really cold.

It was, again, a tough but pleasant climb. Once we reached the top, the fog disappeared and the landscape changed drastically. It was a large flat area full of windmills and the road went from hairpin bends and slopes to straight and flat. Then, Andreu got a flat tire and we changed it without any problem.

After the long straights we started the descent to Porto Moniz. A 15km descent of +1.300m to the sea. At first it was nice, a bit cold on the downhill after the long steep climbs, but the downhill got steeper and was easy. Hopefully, we started to feel our arms and hands after a few minutes as we descended.

A quick break to Porto Moniz and back on the bike, for a 2.7km, +500m climb. It was tough but with beautiful views of the coast and cliffs. Then the road softened and we entered a deeper forest area while watching the sunset. We continued with more short climbs and descents until we were caught by night and fog again.

The hotel was still a few miles away when it started to rain a bit, luckily we were close to the coast and it wasn't cold. Finally, we arrived in Calheta where we would spend the last night.

DAY 4 - 51km +1.350m

The last day, after 297km, +8.530m and countless hours on the bike, we have to say that we loved Madeira, despite the hard climbs, it is worth it. To be honest, I don't think you can see so many different landscapes in so few kilometers. We recommend to go, but also to do hours of training before to enjoy much more the island, because it is really hard.