THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Drive from Funchal up volcanic ridges to Eira do Serrado’s 1,053‑m viewpoint, peer into the dramatic Curral das Freiras valley, then descend to Monte’s gardens and church. This 3–4 hour excursion pairs short walks with panoramic stops—ideal for travelers who want big views with light activity.
Drive from Funchal up volcanic ridges to Eira do Serrado’s 1,053‑m viewpoint, peer into the dramatic Curral das Freiras valley, then descend to Monte’s gardens and church. This 3–4 hour excursion pairs short walks with panoramic stops—ideal for travelers who want big views with light activity.
A cool wind from the island’s interior greets you as the minibus climbs out of Funchal, the city falling away behind terraced roofs and the Atlantic stretching like a flat, silver dare below.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Madeira MTG Travel Agency · Funchal, Madeira
A cool wind from the island’s interior greets you as the minibus climbs out of Funchal, the city falling away behind terraced roofs and the Atlantic stretching like a flat, silver dare below.
At Pico dos Barcelos the first panorama opens: Funchal’s bay cupped by volcanic ridges, boats reduced to pins. Higher still, Eira do Serrado perches at roughly 1,050m, a lip of basalt and grass that looks over Curral das Freiras — the “Valley of the Nuns” where settlement and isolation shaped a unique mountain culture. The steep amphitheater of cliffs is volcanic in origin; erosion and lava flows carved the valleys you’re looking into now.
Monte brings a softer counterpoint. Its gardens and the Church of Nossa Senhora do Monte reflect 18th–19th century pilgrimage traditions and the botanical curiosity of Madeira: introduced species and endemic laurel trees rubbing shoulders on shaded paths.
Expect short walks to viewpoints (firm footpaths with some uneven sections), 30-minute stops for photos and a gentle 3–4 hour rhythm that balances drive time with time on your feet. Bring layers for wind and sun protection; mornings can be clear and sharp, afternoons cloud over the interior.
Plan for easy access from Funchal, minimal technical demand, and a chance to read the island’s geology in ridgelines and ravines. Keep to trails, respect private gardens in Monte, and use sheltered clothing—Madeira’s weather loves to change its mind.
easy.
3–4 hours.
Suitable for most fitness levels; involves short, low‑grade walks and minimal elevation change from parking to viewpoints.
Each stop requires a short walk from the vehicle—typically 5–20 minutes on firm paths to viewpoints or the Monte church.
There’s time to stroll around Monte’s immediate garden areas and church, but a full visit to the Monte Palace Tropical Garden requires a longer, dedicated stop.
No technical sections—paths are well defined but can be uneven; the tour is rated easy.
The meeting point is next to the Pestana CR7 Funchal / CR7 Museu hotel in central Funchal for both pickup and return.
Curral das Freiras earned its name when nuns took refuge in the valley from pirate raids; Monte grew as a pilgrimage and botanical stop in the 18th–19th centuries.
Madeira’s laurisilva and upland habitats are fragile—stay on paths, avoid disturbing endemic plants, and pack out waste.
Madeira MTG Travel Agency operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
A cool wind from the island’s interior greets you as the minibus climbs out of Funchal, the city falling away behind terraced roofs and the Atlantic stretching like a flat, silver dare below.
A cool wind from the island’s interior greets you as the minibus climbs out of Funchal, the city falling away behind terraced roofs and the Atlantic stretching like a flat, silver dare below.
At Pico dos Barcelos the first panorama opens: Funchal’s bay cupped by volcanic ridges, boats reduced to pins. Higher still, Eira do Serrado perches at roughly 1,050m, a lip of basalt and grass that looks over Curral das Freiras — the “Valley of the Nuns” where settlement and isolation shaped a unique mountain culture. The steep amphitheater of cliffs is volcanic in origin; erosion and lava flows carved the valleys you’re looking into now.
Monte brings a softer counterpoint. Its gardens and the Church of Nossa Senhora do Monte reflect 18th–19th century pilgrimage traditions and the botanical curiosity of Madeira: introduced species and endemic laurel trees rubbing shoulders on shaded paths.
Expect short walks to viewpoints (firm footpaths with some uneven sections), 30-minute stops for photos and a gentle 3–4 hour rhythm that balances drive time with time on your feet. Bring layers for wind and sun protection; mornings can be clear and sharp, afternoons cloud over the interior.
Plan for easy access from Funchal, minimal technical demand, and a chance to read the island’s geology in ridgelines and ravines. Keep to trails, respect private gardens in Monte, and use sheltered clothing—Madeira’s weather loves to change its mind.