Madeira Island Ultra Trail is a 115km ultra marathon in Porto Moniz, Portugal. Distance: 115km. Elevation: 7,200m D+. Difficulty: brutal (Challenge Rating 63/100). DNF rate: 25%. Time limit: 32h. Surface: trail. Established 2008.
Madeira Island Ultra Trail
Porto Moniz, Madeira, Portugal
"Traverse a volcanic Atlantic island — 115km across Madeira with 7200m of climbing through laurel forests and knife-edge ridges."
A demanding island traverse crossing Madeira's volcanic spine with 7200m of climbing — levada trails, laurel cloud forests, and Atlantic ridge running.
The Course
A traverse of Madeira island from Porto Moniz to Machico, crossing the island's volcanic mountain spine including Pico Ruivo (1862m), the highest point. Levada irrigation channels, laurel forests, knife-edge ridges, and dramatic coastal cliffs.
mountainous
point-to-point
9
1,862m
6
Runner Experience
Standard aid station support with food, drinks, and basic medical assistance at regular intervals.
Post-race celebration in a scenic coastal setting. Portugal hospitality adds warmth to the finish line experience.
Race Day Weather
16°C
8° – 22°
75%
40%
Subtropical Atlantic island weather. Can change dramatically with altitude. Cloud forests at mid-elevation, clear above. Rain possible at any time.
Stats & Records
2008
500
22:00:00
12:32:15
François D'Haene (2023)
15:22:08
Audrey Tanguy (2022)
Entry
€140
September
weeks
Lore & Trivia
MIUT (Madeira Island Ultra Trail) traverses the entire volcanic island of Madeira — a Portuguese Atlantic island where mountains plunge 1,800m into the ocean in less than 10km horizontal distance. The course follows the island's famous levada irrigation channels (centuries-old water courses carved into cliff faces), climbs through laurel forest (a UNESCO World Heritage ecosystem), and crosses Pico Ruivo (1,862m). The combination of Atlantic exposure, volcanic terrain, and sheer vertical makes MIUT one of the most dramatic island ultras on earth.
- ▸ Madeira's levada channels — centuries-old irrigation systems — serve as running paths through laurel forests.
- ▸ The course crosses Pico Ruivo, Madeira's highest point at 1862m, via a knife-edge ridge.
- ▸ With 7200m of climbing in 115km, MIUT has one of the highest climbing ratios of any European ultra.
- ▸ François D'Haene, one of the greatest ultra runners ever, chose MIUT as a key race in his career.
Madeira is a vertical island. You either climb or you fall. There is no flat.
Notable Editions
The Levada Night Sections
The 2022 edition featured stunning night running along the island's famous levada water channels — narrow paths carved into cliff faces with sheer drops to the Atlantic below. Headlamps illuminated the channel water flowing beside runners' feet, with the ocean crashing hundreds of metres below in darkness.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Madeira Island Ultra Trail? +
Madeira Island Ultra Trail is a 115km (115km) ultra marathon with 7,200m of elevation gain. The course is point-to-point on trail terrain.
How hard is Madeira Island Ultra Trail? +
Madeira Island Ultra Trail is rated brutal with a Challenge Rating of 63/100 (Demanding). The DNF rate is 25%. Runners have 32 hours to finish.
What is the weather like at Madeira Island Ultra Trail? +
Average temperature is 16°C (range 8°C to 22°C) with 75% humidity and a 40% chance of rain. Subtropical Atlantic island weather. Can change dramatically with altitude. Cloud forests at mid-elevation, clear above. Rain possible at any time.
Are crew and pacers allowed at Madeira Island Ultra Trail? +
Crew access is allowed. Pacers are not allowed. Mandatory gear is required.
What is the course record for Madeira Island Ultra Trail? +
The men's course record is 12:32:15 set by François D'Haene in 2023. The women's course record is 15:22:08 set by Audrey Tanguy in 2022.
What is the average finish time for Madeira Island Ultra Trail? +
The average finish time is 22:00:00. About 500 runners finish each year. The DNF rate is 25%.
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