After the Funchal Marathon: Monte

The Route: Funchal Old Town → Monte (cable car) → Livramento (toboggan) → Funchal Logistics: Cable car from the lower station in the Old Town, about 15 minutes up. Toboggan down to Livramento, then taxi or bus back to the centre. Marathon Month: January Duration: Day trip

Funchal Old Town ──(15 mins cable car)──> Monte ──(toboggan)──> Livramento
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        └──────────────────────(taxi/bus, about 15 mins)────────────┘

The Funchal Marathon finishes on the waterfront, a few minutes' walk from the lower station of the cable car to Monte. Monte sits about 550 m above the sea on the hillside behind the city, and for a century it was where wealthy residents escaped the summer heat. The cable car removes the climb, which is what makes it possible on post-marathon legs.

January in Monte is cooler than the waterfront, often by several degrees, and more likely to be in cloud. On a clear morning the view over Funchal and the bay is wide; on a cloudy one you may see little. Take a layer, and go early in the day when cloud is less likely to have built up.

The cable car leaves from the Old Town (Zona Velha), east of the market, near the Jardim Almirante Reis that the marathon passes in its last kilometres. The ride takes about 15 minutes over the rooftops and ravines. Buy a single or a return at the station; check the current fare there.

Monte

The church of Nossa Senhora do Monte is the heart of the village. It is reached from the square by a flight of 68 steps; take them slowly or view the church from the square. Inside is the tomb of Charles I, the last emperor of Austria, who died in exile on Madeira in 1922.

The Monte Palace Tropical Garden spreads down the hillside next to the cable car station, with lakes, tiled panels and plants from across the world. It is also steep, with many paths and steps. On the day after the race, keep to the upper levels near the entrance and sit by the lakes. There is an entry charge.

The toboggan

Since the nineteenth century, visitors have come down from Monte in wicker sledges on wooden runners, steered by two men in white called carreiros, who run alongside and brake with their rubber-soled boots. The ride covers about 2 km of steep road to Livramento in about ten minutes. You sit the whole way. Prices are posted at the start point by the church steps.

From Livramento, taxis wait to take riders back into the centre, about 15 minutes. Alternatively, take the cable car back down.