Photo: Hikerwise.com ↗THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL
Trails above the clouds in early spring.
In March Madeira offers green levadas, laurel forest and the summit ridge of Pico Ruivo (1,862 m) above a sea of cloud. The island is one of Europe’s best winter trail bases — MIUT is run here in spring and the trails are signed and well kept. A camp for runners who want mountain volume before the season and time to work on descending technique.
- The Pico do Arieiro — Pico Ruivo traverse with its tunnels and stairways
- Levada do Caldeirão Verde through laurel forest
- A long run on sections of the MIUT course from São Vicente
- Recovery in the natural sea-water pools
With old friends or new ones
Join a group or arrange a separate departure for your own team. Before travelling, we get to know each other, discuss everyone's experience and find suitable dates. You can also prepare together.
DAY BY DAY
Your daily itinerary.
A provisional itinerary. Weather, group readiness and local conditions may change the order and length of the stages.
- DAY 1 · 6 km, 250 m of climbing
Funchal and a first shake-out
We meet at the hotel and run an easy 6 km along the seafront and up the botanical slopes above town. In the evening we talk through the week: volume, technique, shoes.
Overnight: Hotel in Funchal - DAY 2 · 14 km, 500 m of climbing
Levada das 25 Fontes and Risco
We drive up to the Rabaçal plateau at 1,300 m and run the levadas of 25 Fontes and the Risco waterfall — soft ground, a gentle gradient and wet tunnels. Cadence work on technical but easy-angled trail.
Overnight: Hotel in Funchal - DAY 3 · 16 km, 1,100 m of climbing
The Arieiro — Pico Ruivo ridge
We start from Pico do Arieiro (1,818 m) on PR1 — tunnels, stairways, big drops — top out on Pico Ruivo (1,862 m), descend to Achada do Teixeira and come back. Running on stone steps is the theme.
Overnight: Hotel in Funchal - DAY 4 · 13 km, 200 m of climbing
Laurel forest and recovery
A morning on Levada do Caldeirão Verde from Queimadas — 13 km almost flat through the Laurisilva forest. After lunch, the sea pools at Porto Moniz, stretching and sleep.
Overnight: Hotel in Funchal - DAY 5 · 28 km, 1,900 m of climbing
The long run on the MIUT course
From São Vicente we climb to Encumeada (1,007 m) and onward onto the Pico Grande ridge — a genuine slice of the MIUT course. Pace groups split, and we go by feel.
Overnight: Hotel in Funchal - DAY 6 · 10 km, 450 m of climbing
Descents to the ocean and technique
A short session at the island’s eastern tip — the Ponta de São Lourenço trail with dry, rocky descents and wind. We review video from earlier days and drill foot placement on the way down.
Overnight: Hotel in Funchal - DAY 7 · 5 km, easy
Morning run and departures
A cool-down along the sea, coffee in Funchal and a chat about the season ahead. Airport transfers to suit flight times.
Overnight: —
Included in the estimated price
Six nights in a Funchal hotel, twin rooms
Breakfasts and four dinners
Coaching and technique sessions with Ivan
A local guide on the mountain days
Minivan transfers to the trailheads
Fees for the paid trails (PR1, PR1.2)
Airport transfer in Funchal
Not included in the price
Flights to the meeting point
Personal travel insurance and visas
Personal equipment
Single-room supplements and personal expenses
Lunches and three free evenings
Single supplement
Pole hire
YOUR PREPARATION
Arrive ready for the route.
You should be running 40 km a week or more and be ready for long descents on stone steps. A month out Ivan sends a short plan with hill work and strengthening for feet and calves.
Prepare with IvanROUTE QUESTIONS
BEFORE WE MEET ON THE TRAIL
What to prepare in advance
- Trail shoes already tested in training
- A running vest, soft flasks and rain protection
- Layers for changing weather and familiar trail food
- Poles, if suitable for the route and you know how to use them
Once we choose a date, we agree on the equipment list, meeting point and transfer time. Please wait until the programme is confirmed before booking flights.