Madeira : Tailor-made Custom Trike Tour of the Island

Madeira is built for an open-air ride, and this two-seat trike tour gives you a lively way to see more than Funchal. Instead of following one fixed route, you can ask for Nuns Valley, fishing villages, mountain viewpoints, Santana, Machico, or a plan shaped around your interests. The small vehicle also reaches places that can feel less personal on a large coach.

I like two things here. First, Garth and Jon are praised for making guests feel safe while adding useful local context. Second, the trike turns the journey itself into part of the fun, with headsets and a microphone making it easier to hear the guide as you ride. The main drawback is exposure to Madeira’s weather. Rain, wind, and even hail can arrive quickly, so this is not the best pick if you want a sheltered, climate-controlled ride.

Key points to know

• Nuns Valley is the strongest short-route choice: See Curral das Freiras from Eira do Serrado, then continue into the valley for a closer view.
• You choose the shape of the day: Options range from three hours to six hours, with a fully custom route also available.
• The ride is made for two: Each vehicle has two seats, and the overall group is limited to four people.
• Guides add real value: Garth and Jon provide route suggestions, local stories, and calm driving on the mountain roads.
• Weather matters: The trike is open to the elements, so bring layers and accept that views may change with cloud and rain.
• The price works best for two people: At $165 per group of up to two, the cost is easier to justify when shared.

Why a trike fits Madeira so well

Madeira is not an island you understand from one town square. Funchal is the natural base, but the mountains rise quickly, roads turn sharply, and valleys appear from sudden viewpoints. A trike lets you treat the road as part of the outing rather than simply transport between stops.

You sit behind a driver who knows the route, so you can look around instead of concentrating on directions. The open design gives you a better sense of the air and terrain than a sealed vehicle, although it also means you feel the weather more directly.

The group size is limited to four participants, with a comfortable two-seat trike included. That small scale matters. You are not waiting for a full coach to load or trying to hear a guide from the back of a large vehicle. Headphones and a microphone are used on the move, which is a practical touch on roads where conversation would otherwise be difficult.

The guides speak English, Portuguese, or Dutch. Garth is specifically praised for being friendly, calm, and good at suggesting a route for people who have already seen the usual sights. Jon is also named as a helpful guide. If you have a clear interest, such as mountain views or quieter villages, tell the operator before the ride so the route can be shaped around it.

The three-hour route to Nuns Valley

For a first visit, the three-hour option to Nuns Valley is the clearest choice. Curral das Freiras, commonly called Nuns Valley, sits in a dramatic mountain setting reached by winding roads and high viewpoints. The trip gives you a strong taste of Madeira without using an entire day.

The first useful stop is the viewpoint at Eira do Serrado. From here, you get a privileged view down toward the valley and the surrounding peaks. Clouds and mist can change the scene from minute to minute. That uncertainty is part of the appeal, but it also means you should not expect a fixed postcard view every time.

The route can then continue down into Nuns Valley itself. This is an important difference from simply stopping at a viewpoint above the valley. From below, the steep sides and enclosed setting feel more immediate. You have time for photos and, according to the route description, a chance to stop for coffee. Chestnut cheesecake is a local treat worth trying if it is available at the stop.

The journey is especially good for anyone who has already visited Madeira once and wants a fresh angle. One returning visitor had seen Nuns Valley from a distance on earlier trips, but the closer ride offered a very different experience. That is useful advice: you do not need to be a first-time visitor for this tour to add something new.

The weak point is weather. Rain and mist may hide some views, while wind can make the open trike feel chilly. Still, the route has enough character beyond a single viewpoint that poor weather does not automatically ruin the outing. Bring a waterproof layer and accept that Madeira may give you atmosphere instead of clear mountain silhouettes.

A fishing village and coastal scenery

Another three-hour plan combines a quaint fishing village with a drive toward Nuns Valley and scenic points around Madeira. The exact village is not specified, so you should confirm the proposed stops when booking or before departure.

A fishing village adds a different side of the island. Mountain roads show you Madeira’s steep interior, while the coast gives you working waterfront scenery and a sense of how communities fit between sea and mountain. This option suits you if you want variety rather than one main destination.

The tradeoff is time. Three hours is enough for several stops, but not enough for a slow, full-island tour. You may see a village, viewpoints, and part of the mountain route, but you should not expect to cover every major corner of Madeira. Ask the guide to rank the stops rather than trying to squeeze in too much.

The four-hour Funchal-area option

The four-hour route focuses on the surrounding sites of Funchal. This is a useful middle choice if you want more than a short outing but do not want the commitment of a six-hour island ride.

The description leaves the route open, which is the point. You can discuss what you have already seen and what you still want to understand. First-time visitors might prefer viewpoints and nearby cultural sights, while returning visitors may want less familiar roads. The operator can build the ride around your interests rather than sending every group through the same sequence.

This option also makes sense if your schedule is tight. A four-hour ride gives you a substantial block of sightseeing while leaving part of the day free. Pickup is available in the Funchal area and at Funchal Harbor, so it can fit neatly into a stay based in the city or a port visit.

Do not assume that every entrance ticket is covered. Food, drinks, and entrance fees are excluded, so keep some money available if your chosen route includes a paid site or a café stop.

The six-hour routes: northeast or northwest

The six-hour option is for you if Madeira’s varied scenery matters more than a quick introduction. Two broad route ideas are offered, but the exact order and stops should be confirmed with the operator.

Northwest route

One plan goes up to Monte, where you can see a statue erected after the First World War, then continues north toward Santana, Ponta São Lourenço, and Machico. It also includes one of Madeira’s two man-made golden-sand beaches.

That is an ambitious day. Santana brings a northern village setting, while Machico offers a different coastal stop. Ponta São Lourenço is known in the supplied route description as part of this itinerary, but the activity does not specify how long you stop there or whether there is time for a walk. Ask about the amount of time spent at each place before committing to the route.

The man-made sandy beach is a useful contrast to Madeira’s more rugged shoreline. It gives the day a relaxing coastal finish, though the tour is not described as a beach day. You should think of it as a sightseeing stop, not a guaranteed block of swimming or sunbathing time.

Northeast route

The other six-hour plan includes the Nuns Valley viewpoint and Eira do Serrado. This is the better match if you want mountain scenery and a slower look at Curral das Freiras rather than a broad island circuit.

The route gives you time to compare the view from above with the valley below. That two-level perspective is one of the most worthwhile reasons to choose the longer version. You are less rushed and have more room for photos, questions, and changes in the weather.

The drawback is obvious: six hours in an open trike asks more of you physically than a short ride. Even if you enjoy the motion, wind and rain can become tiring. The reward is a fuller day with more room for the guide to adjust the pace.

What the guide adds to the ride

The driver is not just handling the vehicle. The best part of this experience is the chance to ask questions while moving through the island, then stop when a place catches your interest.

Garth is repeatedly singled out for being professional, friendly, and informative. He also helped first-time visitors decide which points of interest suited them. That matters because Madeira offers more possible stops than most short tours can handle. A good driver helps you choose rather than simply listing every option.

Jon is also described as helpful, interesting, and good fun. The combination of safe driving and an easy manner is important on an open vehicle, especially if you are new to trikes or unsure about mountain roads.

The microphone and headphones deserve special mention. On a moving trike, wind noise can easily swallow a normal conversation. This setup lets you hear explanations without constantly turning around or asking the guide to repeat everything.

Still, the experience depends on the guide assigned to your ride and on the route you agree to. If you have specific priorities, state them clearly: mountain views, coastal stops, villages, shorter driving stretches, or places you have not seen before.

Price, comfort, and practical value

The listed price is $165 per group of up to two people. That is not a per-person fare, so the value is strongest when two people share the trike. For one person, the same group price feels less economical, though you still receive a private-feeling ride within a small group.

The price includes the driver, the two-seat trike, and pickup in the Funchal area or at Funchal Harbor. It does not include food, drinks, pickup outside Funchal, or entrance fees. Those exclusions are normal for a custom sightseeing ride, but they affect your total budget.

The advertised activity duration is three hours, while the choices also list four-hour and six-hour tours. Confirm the price and availability for the longer options before booking. The three-hour fare should not automatically be assumed to cover every route length.

Pickup details are reconfirmed after booking, and you need to provide the name of your Funchal-area hotel. If you are outside Funchal, pickup is not included. That makes this easiest for people staying in the city or arriving at the harbor.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Madeira plans depend on changing weather, which is worth considering for an open-air activity.

Who should book this Madeira ride

I would choose this tour for two adults who want a private-feeling outing without renting a car. It also suits returning visitors who have already covered Funchal and want a route built around places they missed.

It is a good fit if you enjoy the ride itself. The trike is not just a quiet shuttle. It adds wind, motion, and a stronger sense of the road. If you love motorcycles, the format may be especially appealing, but you do not need motorcycle experience to enjoy it.

Families should note that children under five are not suitable for the activity. The small vehicle also means you need to be comfortable sharing a two-seat trike with your companion.

I would think twice if you dislike exposure to rain or wind, need a fully sheltered vehicle, or want a carefully timed list of guaranteed stops. The route is flexible by design, and mountain weather may affect the views.

What to bring and how to plan

Wear layers and bring rain protection even if Funchal looks sunny when you leave. The weather may be very different at higher viewpoints, and the open trike offers little separation from wind and rain.

Bring a phone or camera with enough battery for repeated photo stops. Nuns Valley, the mountain viewpoints, coastal roads, and village stops all offer different subjects, so you may use it often.

If you want coffee or a snack, remember that food and drinks are not included. A stop for coffee may be part of the chosen route, but you should confirm the plan and pay separately.

Before departure, tell the guide what you have already seen. Mention if you prefer a few long stops or many quick viewpoints. The more clearly you explain your interests, the more useful the custom format becomes.

Should you book the Adventure Trikes tour?

Book it if you want a flexible, small-group way to see Madeira and you are happy to let the guide shape the route around weather and your interests. The three-hour Nuns Valley ride offers the strongest first taste, while the six-hour options suit anyone who wants a broader day beyond Funchal.

Skip it if you need shelter from the weather, fixed pricing for every duration, or a standard coach-style itinerary with no route decisions. For two people who value local guidance, open-air scenery, and a little adventure, $165 can be good value, especially when Garth or Jon can turn a simple drive into a more personal look at the island.

FAQ

How long is the trike tour?

The main activity is listed as three hours, with additional four-hour and six-hour guided route options also available.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $165 per group of up to two people.

How many people can join?

The activity is limited to four participants, and the supplied vehicle is a comfortable two-seat trike.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is included from the Funchal area and Funchal Harbor. You need to provide your Funchal hotel name, and the supplier will confirm the exact pickup time.

Can I choose the route?

Yes. You can select suggested routes or request a tailor-made option based on your interests.

Which languages do the guides speak?

The live guides speak English, Portuguese, or Dutch.

Is Nuns Valley included?

Nuns Valley, also called Curral das Freiras, is included in suggested three-hour and six-hour routes. You should confirm the exact route when booking.

Are food, drinks, and entrance fees included?

No. Food, drinks, and any entrance fees are separate from the tour price.