Description – why you need to visit this place ⚡
The MIUT is the Madeira Island Ultra Trail race that takes place each year. The event brings trail runners from across the globe to the island where they can take part in ultra trail races ranging from 16km to 115km. This year, my friend and I completed the MIUT 60 - a 60km race that runs from the North of the island in the village of Boaventura, to the southeast coast in Machico. It is quite literally the most epic thing I have ever done!
Location information 📍
Start point
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Boaventura,+Portugal/@32.7507076,-16.9945268,11.02z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0xc60433b13a4ed3b:0x71fbe18da01d9495!8m2!3d32.8177488!4d-16.972755!16zL20vMDVqODU3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDQyOC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
End point
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Machico,+Portugal/@32.7287668,-16.7913923,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0xc60630a4cb96135:0x8b2abc02b5742ab2!8m2!3d32.7318412!4d-16.791291!16zL20vMDVmeHRr?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDQyOC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
Location details
You can find more details about the route and elevation for the MIUT 60 on the MIUT website here: https://www.miutmadeira.com/en/race/60-course
Route map 🗺
The full MIUT Trail is also really popular route for hikers. The full route is on All Trails here: MIUT® - Madeira Island Ultra-Trail on AllTrails https://www.alltrails.com/en-gb/trail/portugal/madeira--2/miut-madeira-island-ultra-trail--4?sh=hf9vjy&utm_medium=trail_share&utm_source=alltrails_virality
Route description 🔍
The MIUT 60 race starts at 09:00 a.m. on April 26, 2025 at Calhau de São Jorge. From there, runners join MIUT's 115 course at Ilha to head towards Pico Ruivo. There is a rather touch ascent of around 1800m in the first 10km. It's very steep but we took it super easy. At this point in the race, participants are still quite close together and it is great to get to chat to them. Once we reached the first peak of the race, we were above the clouds! It was such a surreal and beautiful experience. You then descend toward Pico das Pedras, passing Achada do Teixeira along the way. This descent is rather steep in parts and can be quite difficult terrain. It's certainly a thigh burner, and towards the bottom we were quite physically and mentally exhausted, but after this descent the course does start to get easier. You pass some really beautiful views and through some incredible forests. From Pico das Pedras, the course continues to Cruzinhas, then ascends to Ribeiro Frio and Chão das Feiteiras. The ascent is far less steep than the initial one. The final stretch is primarily downhill, with passages through Portela and the scenic Larano footpath, connecting to the levada of Caniçal via Boca do Risco. Some of the downhill can get quite steep, but this stretch of the race is torrentially quite nice. To our surprise, our legs were still moving and we managed to run a lot of the last 12 km which was relatively flat. The race concludes with a section along a levada leading to Machico, where the finish line awaits at Forum Machico (the most beaugtiful sight I saw the whole day haha). All in all the route is very difficult, but if you are trained and take it easy then it is a very enjoyable (although tough) day! This is for the MIUT 60 route. If you are crazy enough, there is also the MIUT 85 and MIUT 115. The 115 race starts at midnight the night before. Throughout our day, some of the more elite MIUT 115 and 85 participants passed us which was crazy to see. Although they had been running all through the night, they were in such high spirits and seeing them really lifted our own spirits and motivated us to continue. It was so amazing seeing them!
Parking info 🚙
The organisers put on free shuttle bus services for participants to get to the start line. You can get the bus from either Funchal or Machico, you just need to let the race organiser know which you would prefer when you pick up your race pack. Alternatively, I did see some participants parking in a car park at the start line. But this would only work if you have brought someone on the trip who is not racing to get the vehicle to the finish line (it's a long walk back!).
Food recommendations 🍴
Around the small town of Machico, there are several restaurants serving international foods. There are also stands that sell the local traditional Madeirian bread - with either meats or garlic butter. These are incredible and a great cheap snack.
Pub recommendations 🍻
Deus do Sol is a great local spot serving cheap beers and snacks. We accidentally spent an entire day here sat outside sipping beers and taking in the small town vibes.
Other recommendations nearby 👀
The beach in Machico (Praia de S. Roque) is a great spot to sit, chill, and take a dip in the sea. You can also rent a surfboard here and go surfing.
Stay wild,
