Hiking and camping the MIUT in Madeira in 6 Days

📍6 days ↔️ 141km/87mi ↗️ 8,760m/28,740ft

The Madeira Island Ultra-Trail (MIUT) is a legendary crossing that spans the entire volcanic spine of Madeira, from the crashing waves of Porto Moniz in the northwest to the sunny shores of Machico in the southeast. While famous as an elite ultra-marathon, the route has become a "bucket-list" thru-hike for mountain enthusiasts seeking to experience the island's diverse microclimates—from prehistoric laurel forests and mist-covered ridges to steep, terraced valleys known as fajãs.

This is a no-fluff personal take on walking the MIUT using all the publicly available campsites. It’s designed as a informative, step-by-step reference for anyone planning to walk and camp along the route.

Please note: This guide takes you on a significant detour from the original MIUT route as the PR 1.3 Vereda da Encumeada and PR1 Vereda do Areeiro trail remains closed following the severe 2024 wildfires.

A stone marker with yellow directional arrow, 'TMI', and '2' symbols on a dirt trail in a mountainous landscape, with hikers walking in the distance.
Two hikers with backpacks standing on a grassy hillside, looking up at snow-capped mountain peaks and clouds with blue sky above.
Two hikers walking on a winding trail through lush green grass with mountains in the background under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
Two hikers with backpacks walking along a grassy mountain trail with steep rocky slopes in the background.
A mountain landscape with sunlight illuminating the rocky slopes and snow-capped peaks in the distance, with a forested area at the bottom.
Multiple backpacks and hiking gear leaning against a metal structure with star-shaped cutouts, outdoors on a sunny day.
A man with a beard wearing sunglasses, a blue shirt, and a blue head covering with a backpack, standing outdoors with trees and a mountain in the background.
A person hiking on a dirt trail in a lush green forest with tall trees.
Person holding a sandwich with bread, meat, and cheese, outdoors with greenery in the background.
Two hikers walking along a trail in a forested mountain area with tall trees and a steep hillside while a waterfall flows down the rocky cliffs in the background.
A hiking trail marker painted on arock, with a background of sandy dirt and green shrubs with purple flowers.
Two men in outdoor jackets are sitting at a picnic table outdoors, with one tasting food and the other standing nearby. There are camping gear and supplies on the table.
Hiker taking a selfie with a mountain landscape in the background.
A wild ibex with large, curved horns standing amidst green foliage and ferns in a mountainous area.
Two hikers looking up at the camera from a high vantage point, standing on a rocky trail surrounded by green plants and grass.
A brown mountain goat standing on rocks in a rocky mountain landscape with snow-capped peaks in the background.
Person hiking up a rocky trail with snow-capped mountains in the background under a clear blue sky.

🔍 Activity Overview

Number of days: 6

Distance: ~141 km (87 mi)

Elevation gain: ~8760 m (282,740 ft)

Highest point: Pico Ruivo at 1,862 m (6,109 ft)

Difficulty: Strenuous/Hard. Expect thousands of steep, irregular stone steps and technical ridge sections.

Best time to go: Late April to June or September to October. Note that the official MIUT race is held in April

💵 Costs

Airfares from London - 25 to 100 GBP

Transfers - 10 to 20 EUR

Pitches - Free

Total - 35 to 120 GBP

The maps provided on this website are intended as a general guide only. Conditions, routes, and features may change at any time. Always rely on your own judgement and seek local or professional advice if possible.

Always read the disclaimer

Key Highlights of the

MIUT in Madeira

The route is a sensory journey through a UNESCO World Heritage landscape, characterized by dramatic verticality and lush endemism.

  • Porto Moniz Natural Pools: Volcanic rock pools filled by the Atlantic tide, marking the dramatic start of the journey.

  • Fanal Ancient Forest: A mystical grove of centuries-old laurel trees often shrouded in thick fog.

  • Encumeada Pass: A stunning "saddle" offering views of both the north and south coasts of the island simultaneously.

  • Curral das Freiras (Valley of the Nuns): A deep, amphitheatrical valley surrounded by sheer peaks where the trail drops and then climbs steeply.

  • Pico Ruivo Summit: The highest point on Madeira, offering 360-degree views above the clouds.

  • Vereda do Larano: A narrow coastal cliff path with vertigo-inducing drops to the ocean below.

A mountain goat standing on large rocks with mountains in the background, during a cloudy day.
A man crouching by a lakeshore with rocky ground, reaching into the water, with mountains, trees, and a fence in the background.
A trail marker painted on a rock with a white bar over a red stripe, placed on a dirt and rocky trail surrounded by green shrubs and small purple flowers.

Day 0 - Preparation in Funchal

✈️ Getting to Madeira

  • Fly into Madeira airport (FNC/Cristiano Ronaldo Airport) which is 3.5 to 4 hours from London. Price ranges between 160 to 300 GBP.

🚌 Transport to Funchal

  • Bus - There are two types of buses available:

    • The Aerobus (Airport Express Bus) is the best value for money way to get from the airport. It will take about 30 minutes to 1 hour, runs every 30 to 60 minutes and cost 5 to 6 EUR. Tickets can be purchased from the driver (cash only).

    • There regular public buses like (Line #113 and Line #20) which is cheaper at 2 to 3 EUR but is fairly infrequent. I wouldn’t recommend this option unless you need to get off at an earlier stop which is serviced by the line.

  • Taxi and Ride sharing companies - Taxi and Bolt (ride sharing company) are plentiful and not too badly priced if you’re traveling as a group. The ride will cost between 25 and 35 EUR and take less than 30 minutes.

🏨 Where to stay

  • There are plenty of hotels and hostels which can be booked by all the popular online travel agent sites such as Booking.com, Expedia and Airbnb.

    • Dormitories - 40 to 70 EUR.

    • Hostels / guesthouses - 40 to 90 EUR.

    • Budget hotels - 60 to 100+ EUR.

🍦 Food and Equipment

Camping gas

  • Decathlon Connect Funchal or the larger but slightly further away, Decathlon (Sao Martinho) is a good choice.

    • ⚠️ Do check the connector type! Campingaz is a very common brand of camping gas but uses a proprietary connector instead the usual screw thread.

  • O Bordão - A dedicated outdoor gear shop focused on hiking and mountain equipment with boots, jackets, backpacks, and technical gear.

Supermarkets

There are quite a few supermarkets found all over Funchal. Some of the larger ones are:

Last-Minute Gear

🥾 Things to do

Funchal, Madeira’s vibrant capital, is the perfect place to unwind before or after tackling the island’s rugged trails. Blending historic charm with lush gardens, ocean views, colourful markets, and a relaxed coastal atmosphere, the city offers plenty to explore at an easy pace. Here’s a few ideas to get you start:

  • Parque de Santa Catarina – One of Funchal’s largest and most beautiful parks, perfect for a leisurely stroll, picnics, and ocean views.

  • Funchal Cathedral – Impressive 15th-century Gothic-Manueline cathedral in the heart of the city.

  • Mercado dos Lavradores (Market) – Colourful food, fruit stalls, flowers and local fish — great for tasting local produce and snacks.

  • Jardim Monte Palace Madeira – Take the cable up and check out the spectacular botanic garden in Monte with fountains, art, and diverse plant collections. Throw in a Carreiros (basket) ride on the way back into town.

Four hikers standing under the entrance archway to Mont Blanc in Les Houches, France, with a mountain in the background.
A man and a woman with backpacks on a mountain trail reach out to each other, with the woman handing a phone to the man, both smiling against a bright blue sky with clouds.
A hiker with a backpack walking up a mountain trail surrounded by green vegetation, with a mountain peak in the background and a mostly clear blue sky.
Mountain valley with green grass, rocky slopes, and distant mountains under a partly cloudy sky.

Day 1 - Port Moniz to Fanal

Top Tips

  • To get to Porto Moniz, you can catch Line #139 which runs between 7:00am and 19:00pm. I would recommend you catch the 7:35am to make the most of the daylight. Tickets cost between 2 and 6 EUR and takes 3 to 4 hours.

  • Alternative, a taxi or Bolt will cost about 50 to 70+ EUR depending time of day and type of vehicle.

  • If you don’t fancy an early morning bus ride, you can get here the day before and stay at Camping Park Porto Moniz. (Reviews suggest it is currently closed though)

Food

Breakfast

  • Self cater due to the early start.

Lunch

Evening Meal

  • Self cater

Campsite

Campsites can be booked on the Simplifica Madeira website up to 4 months in advance and cost 5 EUR per booking.

To confirm, seems like the booking is from 12am to 12am and I am unsure if you actually need to book 2 days to get it for a night. That doesn’t really make sense.

Group of four hikers standing under an archway at the start of a trail, with mountains in the background.
A man and a young boy with backpacks exchanging a small object on a grassy hilltop under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
Hiker with a backpack walking on a rocky trail through green mountains under a blue sky.
A scenic mountain valley with green grass, rocky slopes, and distant snow-capped peaks under a partly cloudy sky.

Top Tips

  • Tips to go here

Food

Breakfast

  • Self cater.

Lunch

  • Rabaçal Nature Spot Cafe - Serves simple, hearty, and affordable food — think toasties, sandwiches, bolo do caco, soups, pastries, and fresh juices — usually priced between 5 to 12 EUR.

  • Restaurante Jungle Rain - A little off the path, this is quirky themed café‑restaurant serves grilled chicken, kebabs, salads and other simple cooked meals.

Evening Meal

  • Self cater.

Campsite

Campsites can be booked on the Simplifica Madeira website up to 4 months in advance and cost 5 EUR per booking.

Day 2 - Fanal to Bica da Cana

Person wearing an orange cap and teal shirt standing outdoors in a mountainous landscape with blue sky and green hills in the background.
Person with a red hood sitting on rocky ground in a mountainous landscape with green slopes, distant blue mountains, and a partly cloudy sky.
Two hikers resting on a mountain trail with a mountain range in the background. Both are wearing backpacks, sunglasses, and hats.
Three hikers walking on a mountain trail with green hills and distant mountains in the background.

Day 3 - Bica da Cana to Boca da Voltas

Top Tips

  • The logistics of this day is not very nice. While some people opt to walk along the coast from Sao Vicente to Boaventura, which makes it a whopping 12hr day, I suggests catching a bus to taxi/bolt to shave off a few hours:

    • The Line #6 bus which costs 1 to 3 EUR and takes 35 to 45 minutes.

    • Bolt which costs 15 to 20 EUR and takes about 20 minutes.

Food

Breakfast

  • Self cater

Lunch

Evening Meal

Sao Vicente

There are plenty of options in Sao Vicente but do keep in mind that it is still a fair way to the campsite. If you’re planning on taking the bus to Boaventura, please be mindful of the time as they are pretty infrequent.

  • O Virgilio - A neighbourhood restaurant with Portuguese and grill‑style dishes in the 10 to 15 EUR range.

  • Panoramik Ocean - A very affordable lunch/dinner stop with generous portions and a bit of local flavour.

  • Corvopan — Bakery & Café which offers simple lunch such as freshly baked bread, rolls, sandwiches, pastries, and cakes.

  • 🛒 Continente Modelo São Vicente

Boaventura

For those who would prefer to eat closer to the campsite, eating in Boaventura will be your best bet.

  • Restaurante A Fronteira - The closest restaurants to the campsite, this is a cosy, local taste of Madeira with grilled beef skewers (espetada), prego sandwiches, chips and salads.

  •  Penalti - Small family‑run restaurant with grilled meats and traditional Portuguese dishes.

  • Snack Bar O Tijolo - A highly rated casual spot with very affordable prices (~5 to 10 EUR). Offers sandwiches, burgers, light mains and snacks.

Campsite

Boca das Voltas - 🗺️ Map 🌐 Website

Campsites can be booked on the Simplifica Madeira website up to 4 months in advance and cost 5 EUR per booking.

Four hikers standing outdoors in front of a white van, with a green mountain landscape in the background. The group includes three women and one man, all dressed in hiking gear with backpacks and walking poles, engaging in conversation.
A wooden signpost with directions in French, indicating the refuge of Mottets, with symbols for walking and car routes in a mountainous landscape.
Hiking trail on green hillside with mountains in the background
Two hikers with backpacks and walking sticks hiking on a dirt trail in a mountainous area with pink flowers and green vegetation.
A stone with yellow markings and symbols, including an arrow pointing upward, is placed beside a gravel path in a mountainous, grassy area. In the background, several hikers are walking along the trail.
Three people hiking on a gravel trail in a mountainous landscape with green hills and trees under a cloudy sky.

Day 4 - Boca das Voltas to Pico das Pedras

Top Tips

Food

Breakfast

  • Self cater.

Lunch

  • A Parada - Bar / Mercearia - A no‑frills bar and neighbourhood mercearia (small grocery‑style stop) where you can find very affordable food and drinks perfect for hikers or budget travellers.

  • Bar Pico Ruivo - A 10 minute down hill, this is a small local bar in Ilha that doubles as an easy dinner stop for travellers who want simple, affordable food in a relaxed spot.

  • Snack bar e Restaurante Ilha & Montanha - The furthest away at 20 minutes walk, is a highly rated local eatery offering Portuguese comfort food and simple cooked meals that are generous for the price

Evening Meal

  • Cafetaria Queimadas - A basic café fare like coffee, pastries, sandwiches, juices and homemade cakes that are priced around about 5 to 10 EUR. Better known for breakfast and lunch, you might be lucky later in the day. Closes at 18:00pm.

  • Self cater.

Campsite

Pico das Pedras - 🗺️ Map 🌐 Website

Campsites can be booked on the Simplifica Madeira website up to 4 months in advance and cost 5 EUR per booking.

People sitting and dining on an outdoor terrace with mountain views, red flowers, and umbrellas.
Two hikers rest on a grassy ledge with a mountain and glacier in the background.
A black cow standing on grassy land with mountains in the background and a partly cloudy sky.
Two hikers with backpacks walking on a grassy trail in the mountains with rocky peaks and snow patches in the background, under a partly cloudy sky.
A stone marker with a yellow trail sign indicating direction and details for reaching Villair. The sign shows it is 1,325 meters away, with an estimated hiking time of 2 hours and 10 minutes, and the trail is marked as number 43.
A scenic mountain landscape with a grassy hillside, purple wildflowers, and a stone and wooden fence in the foreground.

Day 5 - Pico das Pedras to Ribeiro Frio

Top Tips

Food

Breakfast

  • Cafetaria Queimadas - A basic café fare like coffee, pastries, sandwiches, juices and homemade cakes that are priced around about 5 to 10 EUR.

Lunch

Evening Meal

Campsite

Ribeiro Frio - 🗺️ Map 🌐 Website

Campsites can be booked on the Simplifica Madeira website up to 4 months in advance and cost 5 EUR per booking.

People dining on an outdoor terrace with mountain scenery in the background, red flowers in planters, and a cloudy sky.
Two people, a woman standing and a man sitting, on a rocky mountain surface with snow-capped peaks and glaciers in the background.
A black cow standing on a grassy hillside with rugged mountains in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
Two hikers with backpacks walking on a grassy trail in the mountains under a partly cloudy sky.
Stone signpost with a yellow directional sign, indicating the trail to Villair, 1,325 meters away, with an estimated walking time of 2 hours and 10 minutes.
A scenic mountain landscape with a sloping green hillside, scattered rocks, and a stone wall. In the foreground, there are purple wildflowers and weathered wooden logs.

Day 6 - Ribeiro Frio to Machico

Top Tips

Food

Breakfast

  • Restaurante Snack Bar Faísca - Opens from 08:00 AM and serves coffee, fresh bread (bolo do caco), toasties, soups, sandwiches and simple Portuguese café‑style snacks.

Lunch

  • Restaurante Portela À Vista - A little on the expensive side, it is known for hearty, traditional Portuguese and Madeiran dishes, especially grilled espetadas (meat skewers), bolo do caco (local garlic‑buttered bread) and fried corn (milho frito).

Evening Meal

Caniçal

Although, a little while off from the campsite, this peaceful fishing village on Madeira’s eastern coast has some very good options including:

  • Muralha's Bar - Local favourite bar-restaurant known for seafood, lapas (limpets) and other Portuguese bites.

  • Tasquinha do Pescador - Classic Portuguese seafood and Mediterranean fare focusing on fresh fish and local dishes.

  • Deus do Sol - Budget friendly option serving range of freshly baked breads, pastries, sandwiches, cakes and coffee.

Ponta São Lourenço

If you prefer to eat closer to the campsite the only option other than self cater is:

  • Cafetaria Sardine House cafe & snacks - A casual seaside café offering simple, hearty café‑style food like sandwiches, quiches, pastries, cakes, cold drinks and quick bites. Closes at 18:00pm.

Campsite

Finishing up in Machico

🚫 Sadly, there are no campsites available here.

There are plenty of hotels and hostel which can be booked by all the popular online travel agent sites such as Booking.com, Expedia and Airbnb.

  • Dormitories: Not available.

  • Hostels / guesthouses: 40 to 80 EUR

  • Budget hotels: 50 to 90 EUR

Alternatively, you can head back to Funchal for more options.

Have an Extra Day?

If you have the time, you can throw in an extra hike from Ponta de São Lourenço to Porto da Cruz via the stunning Vereda do Larano.

To do this, I recommend staying at Ponta de São Lourenço. It’s a short 15-minute taxi or Bolt ride (about 10 EUR), followed by the a lovely walk along PR 8 - Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço, which takes roughly an hour.

  • Ponta De Sao Lourenco Campsite - 🗺️ Map 🌐 Website

Campsites can be booked on the Simplifica Madeira website up to 4 months in advance and cost 5 EUR per booking.

People dining on an outdoor terrace with mountain views, potted red flowers, and umbrellas, in a scenic alpine location.
Two hikers, a woman and a man, on a mountain trail with rugged peaks and glaciers in the background.
A lone black bull standing on a grassy hill with rugged mountains and a blue sky with clouds in the background.
Two hikers with backpacks and walking sticks hiking on a grassy trail in a mountainous area with rocky peaks, some snow, and a partly cloudy sky.
A stone marker with a yellow trail sign attached, indicating a route to Villair, 1.325 meters away, taking 2 hours and 10 minutes, with a right arrow. A white rock is placed on top of the stone marker, and the background is a grassy field.
A mountain scene with pink wildflowers, dry stone walls, and weathered wooden beams on a grassy slope.

Day N - Unwinding in Funchal

Transport to Funchal

After spending a little bit of time exploring the seaside town of Machico, you can get back to Funchal via:

  • Bus - The are regular services operated by SIGA including Line #113 and Line #20. Best to check Rome2Rio site for up to date schedule. (Google Maps is not great for buses in Madeira) .

  • Taxi/Bolt - The trip should cost between 20 and 50 EUR, depending on the time of day, and take about 20 minutes.

In Funchal

  • Complexo Balnear do Lido - Take a swim in this popular seaside complex features saltwater swimming pools, sunbathing terraces, changing facilities, and direct ocean access, all set against Madeira’s dramatic Atlantic coastline.

  • Curral das Freiras (“Nuns’ Valley”) - A day trip to the dramatic mountain valley, famous for its breathtaking views, steep cliffs, and charming village vibe. Best way to get here is to catch Line #81 which takes 45 minutes and costs between 1 to 3 EUR.

  • Chill at the many Cafes with a view.

Getting Home

  • Bus - There are two types of buses available:

    • The Aerobus (Airport Express Bus) is the best option taking about 30 minutes to 1 hour, runs every 30 to 60 minutes and cost 5 to 6 EUR. Tickets can be purchased from the driver (cash only).

    • There regular public buses like (Line #113 and Line #20) is cheaper at 2 to 3 EUR but is fairly infrequent.

  • Taxi/Bolt- Taxi and Bolt will cost between 25 and 35 EUR and take less than 30 minutes.

As always, it would be best to consult your navigation apps on the day to see the most optimum way to get to the airport.

Outdoor patio with people dining, surrounded by red flowers, overlooking a mountain range with lush green forests and rocky peaks.
Two people sitting on a rocky ledge with a mountain range and snow-capped peaks in the background.
A black cow with curved horns standing on a grassy hill with rocky mountains in the background and blue sky with some clouds.
Two hikers with backpacks walking along a grassy mountain trail in a rugged, snowy mountain landscape under a blue sky with clouds.
A stone trail marker with a yellow directional sign indicating the path to Villair, showing a distance of 1.325 meters and an estimated walking time of 2 hours and 10 minutes, on a grassy outdoor area.
A mountain landscape with green grassy slopes, purple wildflowers, and weathered wooden and stone remnants of a small structure.

Looking for a few

extra hikes?

When I visited Madeira, I gave a few too many days as buffer. I decided to throw in some extra hiking at the end of the trail to cover the stunning Ponta de São Lourenço and the dramatic path, Vereda do Larano to Boca do Risco, linking Machico to Porto da Cruz.

Extra Hike - Day 1 - Ponta de São Lourenço to Porto da Cruz

Top Tips

  • If you want to get back to Funchal from Porta da Cruz, catch Line #208 or the less frequent Line #53 and Line #78. The trip will take a little over 1 hour and cost between 3 to 4 EUR.

Food

Breakfast

  • Deus do Sol – A local favourite café that’s open from 06:00am offering coffee, pastries, snacks, sandwiches, cakes and light bites.

  • Mange Tout Café - A cosy café opening from around 07:00am, with coffee, toasties, pastries and small breakfast items priced around 1 to 5 EUR.

  • Tasquinha do Pescador - Classic Portuguese seafood and Mediterranean fare focusing on fresh fish and local dishes. Opens at 10:00am.

Lunch

  • Self cater.

Evening Meal

  • Praça Velha - Highly rated for its friendly atmosphere, outdoor seating and reasonably priced menu featuring Portuguese and Mediterranean-style plates.

  • Snack Bar Fragateira - A basic snack-bar style place where you can grab lighter meals, grilled snacks, sandwiches or small seafood plates.

  • A Pipa restaurant & bar - A locally beloved Portuguese seafood bar-restaurant known across Madeira for fresh grilled fish, limpets (lapas), tuna steak and classic Madeiran dishes.

Campsite

🚫 Sadly, there are no campsites available.

There are plenty of hotels and hostels which can be booked by all the popular online travel agent sites such as Booking.com, Expedia and Airbnb.

  • Dormitories: 30 to 50 EUR.

  • Hostels / guesthouses: 40 to 80 EUR.

  • Budget hotels: 80 to 110 EUR.

People dining on a terrace with red flowers, overlooking a mountainous landscape with green forests and rugged peaks under a partly cloudy sky.
Two people, a woman and a man, sitting and standing on a rocky mountain ledge with a scenic view of snow-capped mountains and a glacier in the background.
Black cow standing on grassy hill with mountains and blue sky with clouds in the background.
Two hikers with backpacks and walking sticks, one female and one male, walking on a grassy trail in mountains with rocky peaks and snowy patches, under a partly cloudy sky.
A stone cairn with a yellow trail sign attached, indicating a trail to Villair, 1.325 meters away, with a hiking time of 2 hours and 10 minutes, situated in an open grassy area.
Mountain hillside with green grass, purple wildflowers, and old wooden and stone structures.

Helpful Links

https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Porto-da-Cruz/Funchal#r/Line-208-bus/s/0 - Porto da Cruz to Funchal

https://www.madeiracamping.com/porto-moniz/ - Parque de Campismo do Porto Moniz (campsite)

Terms of Use

A quick but important note for all visitors: we do our best to share high-quality, accurate information, but it’s always possible that we’ve missed something or that conditions have changed. All GPS tracks (GPX files and maps) and route suggestions are meant to be used as general guidelines—not exact instructions.

chalkypeaks.com and its contributors are not liable for any personal injury, property damage, or other incidents that may occur while hiking or following this route or any route on the site.

If you choose to hike this trail, you do so entirely at your own risk. Always use your own judgment, follow local laws, keep yourself and others safe, and practice Leave No Trace principles.

Your Questions, Answered

  • Excluding flights, you can expect to pay between 600GBP to 800GBP. The main thing which will cause costs will be food and drinks. Expect to pay between 20 and 30EUR per meal at refuges.