Madeira’s West: The Wild Side of Paradise
Take a self-guided tour through Madeira’s wild west, where clouds kiss the mountains and cliffs dive into the sea. Discover forests, waterfalls, and lava pools while uncovering island legends — a mix of nature, freedom, and adventure.
Includes
• Cabo Girão • Ribeira Brava • Encumeada • São Vicente • Seixal • Porto Moniz • Paul da Serra • Fanal Forest • Ponta do Sol (It covers roughly 150 km and takes around 10 hours, including all the scenic stops along the way.)
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Recommended: • Swimsuit • Madeira Island Pass (for discounts) • Mobile data • Brakefast at Hotel or Rentalplace • Be at first Stop at 9:00 am (avoid croweds)
Your Guide
Banana Joe the All-Knowing
Disclaimer
Most of our self-guided tours are exclusive to Island Pass holders — available in both Digital and Printed versions. Once you grab your Pass, you’ll get a special password that instantly unlocks all our tours across Madeira. 🎧✨
The only self-guided tour you can try for free is the “Taste & Tales of Funchal City Walk.” It’s the perfect way to see how our tours work — fun, easy to follow, and full of stories, food, and local flavor!
Good To Know
Just press play and let our guide Banana Joe walk you through this awesome tour. Tip: on mobile, you can enlarge the tour by clicking the yellow button in the upper right corner.
The Wild Side of Paradise
Press Play to meet your guide for the day and discover what today’s epic tour has in store for you — go on, tap it… the adventure starts there!
Check your Madeira Island Map for the unlock code — or your email — to open the Madeira’s West Tour. Let the adventure begin! 🌄🚗
Only those in the know have the super-secret, ultra-mega-difficult password — the rest will just have to guess… and fail gloriously. 🔒😏
Cabo Girão
580 Meter above the ocean on a balcony made out of glass. Just AWESOME!
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A VENDA do Jacintinho
A road winding through sharp bends, steep cliffs, and, let’s be honest, a few heart-stopping moments. No wonder people needed a drink like Poncha at the end of the trip!
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Driving like it used to be
Rolling along the old coastal road toward Ribeira Brava, one of Madeira’s most charming seaside towns
Ribeira Brava
The municipality of Ribeira Brava lies on the southern coast of Madeira at the mouth of a steep, fertile valley where a stream known as the “wild river” once flowed unrestrained into the Atlantic.
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Viewpoint of Terra Grande
Forged over millions of years of erosion, this landscape is Madeira in its purest form — raw, powerful, and absolutely breathtaking.
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Encumeada Pass
Madeira’s most scenic mountain roads, winding through lush forests, deep valleys, and cloud-touched peaks.
Chapel of Nossa Senhora de Fátima
At this viewpoint you’ll not only get a slice of spiritual history but also a free leg workout with 175 steps to the top!
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Quinta do Barbusano
Here you can sip a glass of real Madeira rosé wine while soaking in a fantastic view — the kind that makes you forget time (and maybe order a second glass).
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São Vicente
Where 600 years of holy history meets high drama and summer party fever. Praise be!
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Seixal
Tucked between dramatic cliffs and jungle-green mountains, Seixal Beach is proof that Mother Nature has a flair for the theatrical.
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Road to Porto Moniz & Parking
The north is still wonderfully wild and untouched — and this is one of its best roads. Don’t forget to look back… the view behind you is just as stunning.
Cachalote Restaurant
This spot combines the rich history of Porto Moniz with an amazing seafood restaurant — it’s both a Whale Hunting Museum and a fish restaurant in one. History, food, and ocean views… what more could you possibly want?
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Natural Lava Pools of Porto Moniz
Porto Moniz’s natural pools are lava-tastically cool! Swim in volcanic rock formations, soak in ocean views, and enjoy family-friendly amenities.
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Miradouro da Santinha
Welcome to Miradouro da Santinha in Porto Moniz—a place where Mother Nature shows off like it’s her runway debut.
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Paul de Serra Plateau
A hidden plateau high in the mountains, once the lifeline for many Madeirans — and, back in the day, a perfect hideout for a few clever smugglers.
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Fanal Fairy Forest
Nestled in the misty heights of Madeira’s Laurissilva forest lies Fanal Forest, a place that seems plucked straight out of a fantasy novel.
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Elvis Sanctuary
You’ve just uncovered the Holy Grail of Weird Madeira Wonders™: a secret Elvis shrine halfway between a time capsule, a garden center, and a lava rock museum curated by someone’s eccentric uncle on too much Poncha.
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Ponta do Sol Beach
Ponta do Sol is a charming little town on Madeira’s southwest coast, famous for its golden beach, beautiful architecture, and laid-back island vibe.
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Estelagem da Ponta do Sol
The most famous — and honestly the best — place to watch Madeira’s most beautiful sunset is at Estalagem in Ponta do Sol. Add a good cocktail and some chill music vibes, and you’ve got pure perfection. 🌅🍸🎶
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Tip Box
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This self-guided drive and walk takes you on an unforgettable journey through Madeira’s wild west — a land of misty forests, dramatic cliffs, and stunning ocean views. You’ll wander through ancient Fanal Forest, swim in the volcanic lava pools of Porto Moniz, and discover waterfalls, hidden villages, and panoramic viewpoints along the way.
And of course — no adventure is complete without flavor! Along the route, you can taste local specialties like freshly grilled limpets, Espada, poncha, and other Madeiran delights served in cozy mountain taverns and seaside cafés.
It’s the perfect mix of freedom, flavor, and raw island beauty — yours to explore at your own pace.
All these extras are completely optional and instantly available when you show your Madeira Island Pass (digital or printed) at the recommanded stops. The best part? No need to book ahead! Just show up, join in, and enjoy everything at your own pace, all on the same day. 🍌
Facilities
Location
To start navigation on your phone, click 'View larger map' in the top left corner of the map.
Sometimes, finding the exact location of the hike can be challenging. That’s why we’ve included GPS coordinates to make it easier to reach.
32.648011425874444
-16.900141499516174
Highlights
The only pass you need in paradise
