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We have a week at Easter, staying around Funchal.
There does seem to be some good hiking routes waymarked so anyone done any of these and can recommend a particular route?
Bed and Breakfast basis so will be looking out for some nice dining spots too.
Anything else worth a visit?
The booking includes transfers but I wondered if it was getting a car and have an explore.
PS. Freeride Madeira for a day does come to mind…..
We spent a week there in July. Freeride Madeira for the day would be a top recommendation, we did a day with them using their bikes, and had an amazing day. I recommend booking this before you go.
Plenty of places to eat in Funchal to meet all budgets.
To see the island, I would suggest renting a car even if its just for some of the time you're there, just make sure you're ok with driving twisty and pretty steep mountainous roads. Great views though
Again for walking, whilst you can get taxi's etc to drop you off, a car makes it easier to get to the starting points.
We loved it here, and hope to return soon, so I'm sure you'll have a great trip.
I can recommend this walking book:
We loved Madeira. If you’re up for exploring the countryside you’ll have a great time.
We loved Madeira!
Try for 2 days with Freeride if you can - the riding is superb, nearly as good as the restaurants.
Enjoy!
It's a place that has certainly peaked my interest.
The Travel Show, Madeira: Balancing Beauty and Boom: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0023m48 via @bbciplayer
I assume you'd not want to miss the Funchal museum of electricity generation. https://g.co/kgs/2dUVecA
I would get a car.
My favourite walk is up to Pico Ruivo.
And always go for a trip up to Fanal to walk aroune the ancient laurel trees.
But there is nice walks everywhere on the island.
Definitely try to get at least a day's riding in, there are other companies aside from Freeride Madeira but you will not be disappointed whoever you choose. The Santo Antonio and Hole in one trails were standouts when I was there last year
Have a plan A and B for each day as the weather can be very different up on the top compared to Funchal and the coast. Check the webcams before setting off.
Yeah when I had a day with the Freeride guys it's was about 3 degrees and drizzly at the top, the mud was like ice! Still good fun though. That was around Easter too iirc
We're off to Madera in January, about 20 mins drive from Funchal towards the airport. Not planning any rides as I'll get shot. It's just to relax and have a wander. We have a hotel bus to Funchal so shall be exploring the town.
We’re heading to Funchal for a week in May. Road bike coming with me. Never been before but I’m expecting steep and lots of it.
Went twice in 2024, once with the better half, once with FreeRide Madeira.
First time stayed in the middle of Funchal. Didn't hire a car but used Taxi's and the bus service - which is brilliant but confusing. It was a fun way to see the island tho as long as you weren't in a hurry. We did a few of the walks including the coastal one on the north side of the island that was spectacular. A couple of parks in Funchal as well worth a walk round/stop at one of the cafes.
Old town is fun but small and still busy in Jan. We didn't have a bad meal the whole stay. Worth getting off the main areas- especially by the beach to find some more interesting places. We did the cablecar to the gardens which were great, didn't bother with the 'toboggan' down as everyone says it's rubbish/rip off. Agree electricity museum is really interesting. If we went again I think we would hire a car, but as said lots of very narrow roads and traffic in Funchal is pretty manic.
Riding is very good- can go from dusty to Madeira ice. The dust starts funny but does get a bit old by the end of the week. So many trails and the FM crew are fantastic- great vans, trailers, guides etc. It does take a while to get to the good riding tho- at least 45 mins from Funchal. For riding we stayed up the hill in the more commercial part of Funchal and it's definitely less interesting. So much development going on.
When we were there in Jan, I ran every morning along the promenade / boardwalk as the sun came up over the sea. It was a fantastic way to start the day.
Was there in the summer. It was bonkers hot and humid, even the locals were complaining. Too hot to ride. Decided to do hiking instead. However found it a bit challenging logistically to access routes outside immediate environs of Funchal. You can either hire a car or take taxis/guided tours. Taxis are incredibly expensive and often simply not available for accessing remote locations where the best walks are. Buses are almost nonexistent outside Funchal and you can easily get stranded if you don’t get your timing right. Hiring a car is a logical option. But, you have got to love driving. It is comically steep, narrow roads with hair raising precipices. To minimize stress we ended up taking some guided hiking tours which were ok but limited in freedom in what to do and very expensive.
Wish I’d known this before going! It’s a unique place but wouldn’t be top of my list for hiking destinations TBH.
We’re heading to Funchal for a week in May. Road bike coming with me. Never been before but I’m expecting steep and lots of it.
Blimey, that will be a challenge. Make sure you take front and rear lights in case you end up in the clouds. Also, may be worth cadging an uplift with the MB companies as there are only 3 bits of flat on the whole island, the port in Funchal, the plateau at Paul de Serra(altitude 1500m) and the airport runway 😉
It is very steep. It’s surreal to see a landscape that has not been glaciated, only eroded by wind and rain. I saw 2 guys road biking in the interior in my time there. Major props to anyone doing this.
Going tomorrow, Freeride Madeira day booked in!
Also hired a car so any last minute tips appreciated.
We’ve had to buy a massive bag as we seem to be taking loads of clothing, for different activities and casual.
Enjoy. Lovely place, although my plans were curtailed with a broken pelvis that I didn't know I had then. Mainly stuck at the hotel but did manage a taxi to Funchal for a short walk on crutches.