
Round trip route 4 from Funchal to Ponta do Pargo Lighthouse

This route was brought to you by:
RouteXpert Nick Carthew - (MRA Master)
Last edit: 12-01-2022
This route and 4 other routes will form a collection of 5 round trip routes all starting from the Hotel Dorisol Florasol in the capital city of Funchal.
The views are breathtaking and the roads thrilling making this a 4**** star route.
Animation
Verdict
Duration
3h 25m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
139.32 km
Countries


Ponta do Pargo Lighthouse.
After leaving the hotel, this route passes through 11 tunnels in the first 15 minutes and then travels through the semi urban hillside on a twisty road passing many banana plantations terraced into the hillside. Madeira was a big banana exporter in Europe until the EU regulations on the size of bananas changed. Many of the bananas that grow on the island of Madeira don’t grow up to EU standards, and thus can not be exported out of Portugal anymore. Now 80% of the bananas on island are exported to mainland Portugal, and banana growing is still a big business. Madeirans seem to be very proud of their small bananas!
An even more twisty road with several hairpin bends takes you up to an altitude of over 1400 m to join the ER110 to follow ridge lines to the north west coast. This is a great road that has viewpoint all along it.
Leaving the ER110 for the ER101 takes you through the lush green hillsides. The island's all year round mild climate helped Madeira to be awarded with the decorative suffix 'Floating Floral Island in the Atlantic'. Bird of paradise and Torch Lilies, Daisies and Hydrangea - leave no doubt: Madeira is rich in flowers like no other island.
A quick detour off the road at RP 26 takes you to the island's most westerly point and the Ponta do Pargo Lighthouse. The views from here are spectacular and looking due west, the next landfall would be South Carolina in the USA nearly 6ooo kms away.
Heading back now along the south coast. I have added a stop for lunch or coffee at a cliff-top restaurant that has simply fabulous views. The road after lunch takes you down to sea level on a narrow road with hairpin bends that have no protection - don't take your eyes off the road for too long to admire the beautiful vista!!
The section between RPs 41 - 45 is an old coastal road with crude tunnels carved through the rock and waterfalls across the poorly surfaced road, there is also the chance of falling rocks. I have given instructions on RP 41 for an alternative route if you don't want to take a chance.
Having said all of that, the road has some incredible views as you emerge from tunnels and where else can you ride under a waterfall?
Back through the 10 short tunnels on the VR1 to the hotel finishes this route.

RP 16. Looking back along the coast with banna platations.

RP 43 the tricky road with a waterfall across it.
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Use of this GPS route is at your own expense and risk. The route has been carefully composed and checked by a MyRoute-app accredited RouteXpert for use on TomTom, Garmin and MyRoute-app Navigation.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.