This week, we’re stretching our comfort zones and flying 5,200 miles with our bikes to Madeira, Portugal. Most people don’t realize this little island — tucked in the Atlantic off the coast of Morocco — is actually one of Europe’s top mountain biking destinations. But we’d been hearing whispers about it for years, and it was finally time to see what all the hype was about.
Did you miss Madeira Day 2? Click here!
🌴 Why Madeira?
Madeira is wild. It’s remote, rugged, and ridiculously beautiful. Think jagged volcanic peaks, towering cliffs that drop straight into the ocean, ancient laurel forests, and weather that shifts as fast as the terrain. You can literally ride from foggy alpine ridgelines into jungle switchbacks and finish your descent near a beach café sipping espresso. It’s like four trail zones packed into one island — and the variety is unreal.
It’s also still a bit of a hidden gem for mountain biking. While spots like Finale Ligure or the Alps might steal the spotlight, Madeira stays under the radar — which means fewer crowds, rawer trails, and a more adventurous vibe overall.
🚐 Shuttling with Radwall Madeira
To make the most of our time here, we teamed up with the legends at Radwall Madeira — and honestly, it was one of the best calls of the trip.
These guys get it. From the moment we loaded up their shuttle van, you could tell they were more than just drivers — they’re passionate riders, trail builders, and full-on Madeira locals. They know the terrain, the weather patterns, and the secret zones that don’t show up on Trailforks. Every day was dialed. We’d finish a descent grinning ear-to-ear, pile back into the shuttle, and they’d already have the next drop-in planned.
Their crew also kept the vibe light and stoke high — even when we were dragging after a long climb or fighting off a sketchy stomach. They’ve built something special, and if you’re heading to Madeira to ride, Radwall is the move.
😬 Day 3: Not the Smoothest Start
After some travel chaos and bike issues on Day 1, we found our groove on Day 2. Flow trails, rocky features, and classic Madeira jumps had us pumped. But Day 3? Let’s just say it started off rough.
We woke up not feeling great. Sleep was elusive. The Portuguese steak from the night before? Yeah, that wasn’t sitting too well either. My stomach was in full rebellion mode, and I wasn’t exactly feeling like a trail warrior.
But the trails weren’t going to ride themselves. [WATCH FULL VIDEO]
🚵♂️ Five Trails, One Big Push
Today we set out to explore a new zone — one rumored to be way more technical. Five of the island’s steepest and prettiest trails, tucked into Madeira’s wild east side. Gnarliest blues. Sketchy reds. The kind of stuff you don’t just cruise — you commit to.
The first ride started with a six-mile climb. Not exactly a gentle warm-up — more like a full-on gut check (literally). But even through the nausea and fatigue, Madeira delivered.
Every corner offered another jaw-dropping view. Towering cliffs, sun breaking through the trees, ribbons of trail flowing down the mountain like veins. It was the kind of landscape that forces you to stop — even when you’re chasing daylight.
🔥 No Easy Days, Just Good Ones
We hit everything from steep switchbacks to loose rock gardens, surprise drops, and narrow bench-cut descents that required laser focus. It was technical, wild, and just the right amount of scary.
Madeira isn’t about bike park laps or sculpted jump lines — it’s about raw adventure. The kind that challenges you physically and mentally, and leaves you better for it.
Even feeling rough, I wouldn’t trade a second of it.
If you’re coming to Madeira, bring your enduro legs and your sense of humor. The terrain is as humbling as it is beautiful — and even when you’re running on fumes, this island has a way of reminding you why you ride in the first place.
Did you miss the earlier days in Madeira?
- Day 1 in Madeira – Stretching Our Comfort Zones
- Day 2 in Madeira – The Ultimate Mountain Biking Adventure
- Day 3 in Madeira – (today)
- Day 4 in Madeira
- Day 5 in Madeira
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