MIUT 85 – Madeira Island Ultra-Trail Races

The MIUT 85 starts in the village of São Vicente, located in the north of the island of Madeira. Perched on a rocky promontory, the village dominates the Atlantic Ocean by a few meters. The route begins in the center of São Vicente. It surveys its heights before climbing more dryly to the Encumeada pass.

A pretty and pleasant levada (irrigation channel) allows you to unroll a little before descending slightly but sharply towards Achada. A very steep ascent is made along a large pipeline. Then, you come out on a magnificent path on the side of the cliff. This leads you gradually to the Cerro pass.

You switch later in a descent, as demanding as it is spectacular, towards the village of Curral das Freiras. This small, remote bastion is a key place to recharge the batteries before undertaking the long ascent to the steep heights of the island. The climb begins in a eucalyptus forest that intoxicates your senses before continuing on a more open but winding ridge. As you approach Pico Ruivo, the highest point, the panoramas never cease to dazzle with their beauty.

The section between Pico Ruivo and Pico Arieiro is simply amazing. Savor these moments before attacking a long descent that brings you back to sea level. Although it is long, the descent remains gentle and pleasant. Most of it is done on comfortable paths that rush into the vegetation.

Porto da Cruz and its seafront await you. A short climb takes you up an impressive path that meanders above the ocean, along vertiginous cliffs. You end your adventure by diving into the Machico Valley. New levadas guide you to the heights of the city before descending a few meters to reach the final destination of the course.