Mountain biking in Madeira: Downhill Adventure on Mountain Trails

As a kid, I always liked exploring the bushes around my house. Back then, I would spend hours riding my bike with my cousin, inventing paths, jumping downstairs…everything we were entitled to! All this while imagining one day doing a real downhill track, the kind we only saw in videos: with breathtaking landscapes and trails that push us to the limit. There was nothing like it in the town where I lived and, as I got older, I ended up forgetting my bike. The dream stayed in the drawer... until I arrived at Madeira!

It actually wasn't something I planned to do before I got here. But when I was reading about nature activities in Madeira, I came across a proposal for a mountain bike ride and I thought: why not? 'Let's fulfil a childhood dream!', I said to myself. I hardly knew what I was getting into... and that was great!

The plan was simple – or so it seemed: taking a mountain bike ride in Madeira, from an area near Pico do Areeiro to Caniço, through forests, mountain trails and even a few bits of road. I hadn't realised it was going to be so challenging... I thought I was better prepared than I really was. And maybe that's why it was so epic!

The day started early. I was staying in the typical fishing village of Câmara de Lobos, where they picked me up. The climb to Pico do Areeiro began there. The views alone were worth the trip! It was one of those low fog days, which most likely meant one thing: up there, we'd be above the clouds and the view would be spectacular!

During the trip, I listened to the briefing and soon realised that what I had set out to do was much harder than I thought, but our guide put me at ease: 'We'll start slowly and see how you adapt. Don't worry, just do what you feel comfortable doing, we can always adapt!' That was exactly what I needed to hear to gain confidence. I was mentally ready for the adventure ahead!

Helmet on tight, gloves on, knee protectors, and a pounding heart. We started the descent. The first few metres were enough to feel the bike, the brakes and the road. It hadn't rained for a few days and the ground was perfect. I was gaining confidence and, above all, remembering this unique sensation of doing a mountain bike trail. It felt like going back to the past!

The difficulty level increased: we left the mountainous landscape behind and entered the magical forest of giant cedar trees at Poiso. The instinct I had developed as a child returned as I pedalled through the mud, dodging roots and winding around the tight bends between the trees.

It's hard to describe the feeling of mountain biking in Madeira along these trails. It's all quite raw, natural and, at the same time, challenging. You feel the mountain testing you at every curve. And a growing smile at the end of every descent. Pure fun!

There were areas where we even passed through the Laurissilva forest — a UNESCO natural heritage site. That damp, mysterious, almost magical green, makes you feel like you're in a special place. And suddenly we were out of the forest and pedalling along a lane overlooking the sea. That's Madeira: contrasts that take your breath away.

Halfway along the route, we took a break for lunch at one of those spots that only locals really know, in the parish of Santo da Serra, known for hosting one of the archipelago's golf courses. I later learned that it was also one of the first areas where the English community settled in Madeira, in the 19th century, building some English-style manor houses that still mark the landscape. For lunch, we had the classic Madeiran prego em bolo do caco. That warm bread, the succulent meat, the garlic flavouring everything... it was just what I needed to keep going towards the sea.

After lunch, we got back on the bike. With looser legs and greater confidence, we started a more fluid phase of the descent. Wide trails, faster areas, and even some bits of road where it was possible to take a breath.

The view opened up as we got closer to Caniço. We could already see the sea at the end, and the smell of the sea combined with the damp earth aroma is something I'll never forget. When we finally reached the end, I felt exhausted but with an inner energy that only those who live these adventures understand.

Mountain biking in Madeira was more than just an extreme activity. It was a personal journey. A return to the child who once dreamed of doing this. So much fun! It was definitely a challenge. Of course there were moments when I thought: 'What am I doing here?'. But those were precisely the moments that made everything so memorable. So, if you're thinking of going mountain biking in Madeira, here's my advice: be prepared. This type of trail is not for beginners. It takes some experience, stamina and, above all, respect for the mountain.