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Blooming, sleigh ride in the warm and nun valley

Eldonita: 15.04.2022

On the last day before departure we went back to Funchal in the morning.


Botanical Garden Funchal
Botanical Garden Funchal


We visited the Botanical Garden, which was created around the former villa of the hotelier family Reid.


Botanical Garden Funchal: Banana Pineapple
Botanical Garden Funchal: Banana Pineapple


The garden is home to a variety of different plants, both native to Madeira and settled here from all over the world.


Botanical Garden Funchal
Botanical Garden Funchal


Madeira's mild climate has made it a flower island: To acclimatize exotic plants to European weather, plants from all over the world were first planted here before being brought to the continent.


Botanical Garden Funchal
Botanical Garden Funchal


Today, countless exotic plants can be admired on Madeira, which thrive wonderfully here thanks to the fertile volcanic soil.


Botanical Garden Funchal
Botanical Garden Funchal


After our tour of the park, we continued to Monte, which is 550 meters above Funchal.


View from Monte to Funchal
View from Monte to Funchal


At the top is the pilgrimage church Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte.


Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte
Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte


It is said that a young girl had a Marian apparition at this spot. Her father initially did not believe her and went to the said spot himself. He did not have an apparition there, but found a small Madonna figure.


Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte
Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte


Right in front of the church is a monument to Karl I, the last Emperor of Austria, who died in exile on Madeira on April 1, 1922.


Monument Karl I.



The monument was erected in 2004 on the occasion of the beatification of the Habsburg and was adorned with flowers after his recent 100th anniversary of death - just like his grave in the church.


Grave of Emperor Karl I
Grave of Emperor Karl I


A few steps below the church is the starting point for the basket sledge ride, which was chosen by the American TV channel CNN as one of the ten coolest rides in the world.


Sleigh ride Monte
Sleigh ride Monte


We couldn't miss this and boarded one of the traditional sledges. Initially designed for those who could not make the journey on foot for health reasons, the basket sledge became a means of transport for wealthy gentlemen downhill in the 19th century.


Sleigh ride Monte
Sleigh ride Monte


Back then, it used to go 4 km to Funchal, today the tourists are driven 2 km by two drivers who brake, steer and push the sledges.


Sleigh ride Monte
Sleigh ride Monte


After the ten-minute ride, the bus picked us up at the final stop and the journey continued to the Nun's Valley.


Hike Viewpoint Eiro do Serrado
Hike Viewpoint Eiro do Serrado


The nuns fled from Funchal to the valley in 1566 to escape pirate attacks, which could only be reached via mountain paths. Unlike most places on the island, you can't see the sea from here - which is why our tour guide said she would never move here...


Hike Viewpoint Eiro do Serrado
Hike Viewpoint Eiro do Serrado


In the center of Curral das Freiras, we first made a stop and then wanted to hike 450 meters to the Eira do Serrado viewpoint. However, clouds started to gather, so our tour guide decided that we should take the bus up instead.


Hike Viewpoint Eiro do Serrado
Hike Viewpoint Eiro do Serrado


We quickly walked to the viewpoint, where we still had a nice view of the valley. Shortly after, everything was indeed covered in clouds.


Hike Nun
Hike Nun's Valley


We started the hike from the top of the valley to the bottom. At first, we passed through chestnut forests with mist. In this area, there are many chestnuts and the annual chestnut festival with various specialties takes place in autumn.


Hike Nun
Hike Nun's Valley


The hiking trail was the old connection road, which was the 'main road' to Curral das Freiras until the 1950s.


Hike Nun
Hike Nun's Valley


The further we descended the steep path, the clearer the view became.


Hike Nun
Hike Nun's Valley


In the valley, we were finally greeted by brilliant sunshine. We took the bus back up the mountain, where we could enjoy lunch at the restaurant first with a view of the clouds and then with a view.


Hike Nun
Hike Nun's Valley


And so our last day in Madeira came to an end. In the evening, we met with the tour group for a farewell Poncha (the traditional drink on the island with lemon, orange, and sugarcane schnapps).

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