MIUT - Madeira Island Ultra Trail

Traversée intégrale de l'île de Madère, du nord-ouest au sud-est, un défi technique et sauvage de 110km. -------- MIUT LEGEND begins in Porto Moniz, on the north coast of Madeira Island, with a start time of 23:59 on April 24th. The route leaves the town center with a short but steep climb along the slopes surrounding the village. At the top of this ascent begins the well-known zigzagging descent toward the mouth of Ribeira da Janela, illuminated at night by the athletes’ headlamps. From that point, the first major climb begins, heading toward Fanal (at 1150 meters altitude). Fanal hosts the first aid station, intended for a quick stop. This is followed by the first technical descent, along the Vereda das Voltas, toward Chão da Ribeira. The second major climb takes place along the long Vereda da Terra Chã, up to Estanquinhos on the Paul da Serra plateau, where the second aid station is located. Along the northern edge of the plateau, the route continues via a connecting trail to Bica da Cana, the starting point of a descent through the Laurissilva Forest, on the island’s north side, leading down to the valley floor in the municipality of São Vicente. Next comes a relatively short climb to Chão dos Louros, located in the heart of the Laurissilva Forest — classified as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site — where the third MIUT Legend aid station is found. Just above, at the windy Boca da Encumeada, the Vereda da Encumeada trail begins, running along a rocky ridge connecting to Pico Jorge. At this peak, the main trail is left behind, entering the Vereda dos Currais, which leads to Pico Grande, followed by the descent to Curral das Freiras, home to the next aid station. From this point, the route crosses the central mountain range, climbing to Boca das Torrinhas and continuing along the ridgeline that separates the north and south of the island, passing through Pico Ruivo (aid station) and Pico do Areeiro. After conquering the peaks, the final stage of the route begins — still long and mostly downhill — passing through Chão da Lagoa, Portela, and Larano (all with aid stations) before reaching Boca do Risco. From here, the route descends to the Levada do Caniçal, with a final detour to Pico do Facho, offering a descent with panoramic views over the Atlantic Ocean. The finish line finally comes into sight at the Fórum Machico square, on the island’s eastern coast.

Un ultra-trail exigeant de 80 km à travers les massifs montagneux et les levadas emblématiques de l'île. ------- MIUT ADVANCED begins at 7:00 a.m. on April 25th. The start takes place near the mouth of the Ribeira de São Vicente, on the north coast of Madeira Island. The route heads inland through the valley on its eastern side, along a wide trail that overlooks the valley floor. The path crosses agricultural areas and small levadas (traditional island irrigation channels), before descending to the bed of the Ribeira Grande. From this point, the trail ascends through the forest, merging—midway through the climb—with the MIUT LEGEND route. The relatively short ascent leads to Chão dos Louros, located in the heart of the Laurissilva Forest — a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site — where the first aid station of the MIUT Advanced is located. Just above, at the windy Boca da Encumeada, begins the Vereda da Encumeada, a trail that follows the rocky ridge separating the north and south of the island, and continues all the way to Pico Jorge. At this peak, runners leave the main trail and take the Vereda dos Currais, which connects to Pico Grande, followed by the descent to Curral das Freiras, where the second aid station is located. From here, the route crosses the central mountain range, climbing to Boca das Torrinhas and continuing along the ridgeline that separates the island’s north and south, passing through Pico Ruivo (aid station) and Pico do Areeiro. After conquering the summits, the final stage of the course begins — still long and mostly downhill — with passages through Chão da Lagoa, Portela, and Larano (all with aid stations), before reaching Boca do Risco. From there, the trail descends to the Levada do Caniçal, with a final climb to Pico do Facho, offering a descent with panoramic views over the Atlantic Ocean. The finish line finally comes into view at the Fórum Machico square, on the island’s east coast.

Course de 56 km explorant le cœur de Madère, entre sommets escarpés et forêts primaires luxuriantes. ------- The race begins with a demanding ascent along the historic Vereda do Urzal, one of the main routes connecting the north and south sides of the island. This trail takes athletes from the base of the northern slope to the highest elevations of the central mountain massif, passing through Boca das Torrinhas. At this point, the route merges with the MIUT LEGEND course, heading toward Pico Ruivo — the highest point on the island and the location of the first aid station — and then continuing on to Pico do Areeiro. Between Ruivo and Areeiro, every step reveals the wild and majestic side of the mountain. With the peaks conquered, the second stage of the course begins — still long and mostly downhill — featuring aid stations along the way at Chão da Lagoa, Portela, and Larano, before reaching Boca do Risco. From there, the trail descends to the Levada do Caniçal, with a final climb to Pico do Facho, offering a stunning panoramic descent overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. At last, the finish line comes into view in the square of Fórum Machico, on the island’s eastern coast.

Course de 17 km idéale pour découvrir les sentiers côtiers et l'ambiance unique du MIUT. ------- MIUT Starter will begin at 8:00 a.m. on 26 April, starting in the centre of Porto da Cruz on the northern coast of the island, and finishing in Machico on the southern coast. The route follows the coastline up to Praia da Maiata, then continues along paths and trails towards the area of Larano. From this point, the course joins the MIUT Legend itinerary, traversing the Vereda do Larano, a path carved at mid-altitude along the imposing cliffs that characterise this section of the coastline. After passing Boca do Risco, athletes descend to the Levada do Caniçal, with a final ascent to Pico do Facho, offering a breathtaking downhill stretch with panoramic views over the Atlantic Ocean. Finally, the finish line comes into view on the horizon, located at Fórum Machico square on the island’s east coast.

Un marathon de montagne technique reliant les plus hauts sommets à la ville côtière de Machico. ------- MIUT MARATHON starts at 11:00 a.m. on April 25, at Largo da Fonte, in the parish of Monte, in the municipality of Funchal, located on the south side of Madeira Island. The race begins with the only significant climb of the course, crossing through the interior of the Funchal Ecological Park, where participants are rewarded with stunning views of the city and the impressive surrounding valleys. The route follows ancient paths and levadas, where water flows swiftly. The climb ends at the small plateau of Chão da Lagoa, which hosts the first aid station of MIUT MARATHON. It is also at Chão da Lagoa that the route converges with the MIUT LEGEND itinerary, following a common path towards Portela, passing through the Serras das Funduras and connecting to the Vereda do Larano via the well-known and demanding descent of Vereda da Degolada. Along Vereda do Larano, heading towards Boca do Risco, the views of the northern sea are truly breathtaking. From Boca do Risco, the trail descends to the Levada do Caniçal, with a final detour to Pico do Facho, offering a downhill stretch with panoramic views over the Atlantic Ocean. The finish line finally comes into sight at Fórum Machico square, on the island’s east coast.