Description
Dates: Booking-based (offered all-year round) when it suits the guest.
Book 30 days in advance!
Duration:8 days / 7 nights
Prices range from: Shared Room – 615€ per person | Single Supplement – 364€
You will pay a deposit of 10% to secure your spot. Once confirmed, your tour operator will charge the remaining amount.
*Note that upon completing the booking, your tour operator will require you to fill out an additional reservation form specifying your level of running, dietary requirements and more in order to secure the best and most enjoyable trip.
Terrain: Trail running
Average daily running distance: 18 km
Longest running distance in a day: 20 km
Group size: up to 10 participants
TABLE OF CONTENTS
What level of running is this trip suitable for?
Are there any alternatives for non-runners?
What’s NOT included in the price?
What Level of Running is this Trip suitable for?
Are there any Alternatives for Non-runners?
Accommodation
Dietary Accommodation
Dietary options for the following are available:
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Gluten-free
- Dairy-free
If you have any dietary requirements, please let us know about them in a comment upon your booking.
ITINERARY
DAY 1 | Arrival – Weekly Briefing
After picking you up at the airport we’ll check into our hotel in the best area of Funchal City. We’ll gather for our weekly briefing after which we’ll head outside for a relaxed run (road running). After our run, you’ll have some free time to freshen up before dinner.
Time running: 1 hour.
DAY 2 | Larano – The Lost World Experience
Setting off from Machico outskirts, we’ll quickly see ourselves running Machico’s Levada towards Boca do Risco. From there on, the views over the ocean and the green that compose the high ground over us, will set the tone for our climb to Funduras. There, we’ll run deep inside the forest single tracks until we reach Degolada, a steep downhill single-track challenge, that will put your quads to the test. This last downhill leads us to Vereda do Larano. With sea on one side and mountain on the other, we get to run a good 8 Kms in a Jurassic Park movie set like scenario. At the end of Vereda do Larano we’ll start our way back to Levada de Machico with its gorgeous views over the city and end up this cool cinematic running experience. We’ll warm up with a hot lunch, then have some free time before our first Yoga session.
Time on Trail: 2 – 3 hours.
DAY 3 | Fanal Green Mist
We will start at the ancient Fanal’s Forest Support house and will take us through that same trail towards Estanquinhos, way up at the Paul the Serra plateau. This single-track trail crosses Madeira Laurel and Heather Forest. It’s a constant up and down run, challenging at times and most of all, it’s filled with views over the Ribeira da Janela Valley, the longest in the island with a total extension of 13Kms. We end our run at this green field of Madeira Laurels, usually populated with herding cows.
Time on trail: 2 – 3 hours.
DAY 4 | Encumeada – Tunnels & Waterfalls
Encumeada is this running adventure starting point. Following the Levada do Norte path, with its stunning views over Ribeira Brava’s Valley, we’ll reach our first long tunnel cross. This 250 meters of hand-made tunnel will take us to the north face of this mountain that holds a big portion of Madeira’s Laurissilva Forest. After yet another tunnel crossing and some 2 kms we start our ascent towards Paredão. After another fun run moment we reach Levada da Serra that will get us to ‘Pinaculo’, a point of interest that then will take us to the south face of the mountain once again. Although we’ve already passed through countless waterfalls at this point, these next few ones won’t have much trail path to avoid the water, and some shower will be inevitable. A cooling, refreshing and much welcomed adventure finish, after the kms we’ve already put in.
Time on Trail: 3 hours.
DAY 5 | São Lourenço’s Playground
After breakfast, we have a 25-minute drive to Caniçal, the eastern most point of the island. Having Caniçal as background, this tour is all about the symbiosis between mountain, ocean and having a lot of running fun. We’ll get to reach the farthest eastern point in Madeira island, through the beautiful Baia D’abra’s trails until we reach Pico do Furado. From the start until we get to Sardinha’s house and the viewpoint up above it’s about 5 kms. An amazing running experience where the camera is as important as the shoes you’re wearing. A nice swim in the ocean is advised as well.
Time on trail: 2 hours.
DAY 6 | Conquer the Summit
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll drive out to Pico Arieiro. We’ll head towards Pico Ruivo, The Summit, the highest peak in Madeira, and 3rd highest in Portugal. A true challenge, only for the brave. For those who really want to put their skills to the test. But let’s not be fooled by the “short” 12 Kms. It’s a constant up and down with gorgeous views over the great central massif in direct contact with endemic fauna and flora. We’re put to the test in one of the most demanding but beautiful section of Madeira’s ‘Ultra Trail World Tour’ race Time on trail: 2.5 – 3.5 hours
Time on trail: 2.5 – 3.5 hours.
DAY 7 | Poiso – Laurissilva & Ponds
Starting at Poiso Shelter house we will have our first 6 kms of warm up on a downhill section along mountain biking single tracks. An incredible running start with views over the valley that ends up in Porto da Cruz seashore. But this run is all about green forest far away from the ocean. Once we get to Levada do Furado we head towards Ribeiro Frio and along this 8 Kms of amazingly beautiful scenery we will be welcomed with gorgeous waterfalls and natural ponds. For the bravest, these cool ponds are an epic place for a dive. After reaching Ribeiro Frio’s shelter we start a comfortable but challenging climb towards Chão das Feiteiras where sheep are herded and the barns are located, with a cool green plateau run just before we face our last km to the finish line.
Time on trail: 2,5 – 3 hours.
DAY 8 | Departure
Goodbyes and transfer to the airport.
What’s Included in the Price?
- Accommodation at 4 Star Hotel
- Adapted running programs to fitness levels
- Certified mountain guides
- Bed & Breakfast
- Shuttle to/from trails
- Airport Transfers
- Activity insurance
- HD Photo & Video Package
- Fruit and Water during activities
What’s NOT Included in the Price?
- Lunches
- Flight to Madeira Island
- Travel and/or cancellation insurance
- Everything else not mentioned in “What’s included in the price?”
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