The Untraveled West Tour

This is an interesting way to see Madeira’s west side because the route mixes famous sights with lesser-seen ridgelines, and you do it in a 4×4 jeep rather than a bus. It’s also a small-group tour run by Just Madeira, so the day feels more personal than a cattle-call itinerary.

I like two things a lot. First, the day is built around real off-road driving, including the approach into Paul da Serra and the bumpy tracks to viewpoints. Second, the guide, Chris, brings Madeira to life with clear facts and a flexible plan when weather changes.

One possible drawback: this tour is not for people who hate winding roads and rougher track segments. You still get breaks for photos and viewpoints, but the overall pace includes driving time and some unpaved stretches.

Key highlights you will actually feel

• Small group size: up to 6 people, which makes it easier to ask questions and adjust on the fly.
• Off-road access: you reach spots by tracks and high viewpoints that most public buses never touch.
• Fanal forest stop: prehistoric-looking trees in the Fanal area, with free entry time built in.
• Porto Moniz lava pools option: you can swim or simply enjoy viewpoints and grab a drink.
• Big west-coast views: Miradouro do Pico Vermelho and Ponta do Pargo give you that cliff-and-coast feeling.
• Chris as your guide: locals stories, plus practical tips that help you understand what you’re seeing.

Why this west Madeira 4×4 route feels different

Madeira is famous for its viewpoints, but most “drive-by” tours only skim the best angles. Here, you spend time at lookouts that actually require getting off the main roads. That matters because the best angles on this island are rarely right next to parking lots.

This tour also feels guided in a way that helps you connect the dots. Chris shares background on places, and the focus stays practical: what you’re looking at, why it matters, and what to do next. One review even highlights how Chris talked about flora and fauna, which is a nice bonus when you’re standing in wind and clouds and want more than just a photo.

The other big feel-good factor is the small group size. With up to 6 people, you are not stuck waiting on a crowd every time the road turns narrow. If the weather isn’t cooperating, the day can shift to keep the views worthwhile.

Price and value, plus what you should plan to pay for

The price is $82.80 per person for about a 7 to 8 hour day. For that, you get an air-conditioned vehicle and a licensed or certified guide, and you also get the structure of a full loop with multiple stops. When you compare that to paying for separate transportation and separate entry costs, this price starts to make sense.

That said, not everything costs zero. Fanal has free admission time. Porto Moniz natural swimming pools do not have admission included, and the listing also notes that landing and facility fees are not included. Lunch is also not included, so you should budget for food on your own during the Porto Moniz town break.

If you want an easy day financially, bring a little cash or have a card ready for pool access if you choose to swim, plus snacks or lunch in Porto Moniz. If you only want viewpoints, then your main extra cost might be just your meal.

Getting started at CR7 Museum, and riding with Just Madeira

Your day starts at the CR7 Museum (Praça CR7, Av. Sá Carneiro 27) in São Martinho, Funchal. The tour includes pickup, and the jeep from Just Madeira has dark tinted windows on the backside, with the company name printed on the vehicle.

The tinted windows are a small detail, but they help on days when sun, spray, or wind makes the ride more intense. And because it is a jeep tour, you should expect the seating to feel closer and more flexible than a bus. That suits people who prefer conversation and quick questions over silence.

You also receive a mobile ticket, which cuts down on fuss when you arrive. The tour ends back at the meeting point, so you do not have to worry about getting yourself across town late in the day.

Stop 1, Posto Florestal Fanal, where the trees look prehistoric

The first stop is at Posto Florestal Fanal, and the pitch is accurate: you come for an awe moment with the prehistoric-looking trees in the Fanal forest. The time on this stop is about 1 hour 30 minutes, and admission is free.

What makes this stop feel special is how you get there. The route leading into Fanal goes through woods and includes off-road driving that brings you out toward Paul da Serra. So even before you reach the trees, the day already feels like you are moving beyond standard sightseeing.

What to consider: Fanal can be misty or windy, and you will be outside. Bring a light layer even in warmer months, and wear shoes you trust on uneven ground. If clouds roll in, don’t panic, because Chris can help you time viewpoints and keep the day working with the conditions.

Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools: lava rock views, with optional swim time

After about half an hour of driving, you reach Porto Moniz. This stop is about 1 hour 30 minutes. The star attraction is the natural swimming pools made by lava rock, a very Madeira type of sight.

Admission for the pools is not included, so you decide what you want to do. If you want to swim, plan on paying pool admission separately. If you prefer not to swim, you still get something valuable here: viewpoints around the pools, plus the option to have a drink and take a breather from driving.

Practical advice: bring swimwear if you think you might go for it, but also bring a way to dry off. Even if you just stand and watch, the air can feel cooler near the coast depending on wind.

Porto Moniz town break: food without rushing

After the pools, there is about 1 hour in Porto Moniz town. Admission is free for this segment, and it is mostly a reset. This is where you can handle hunger before the high viewpoint sequence starts.

Lunch is not included, but the town gives you options to eat a meal or grab a snack. I like this timing because you’re not forced to eat at a fixed time in one location. You can also take advantage of the hour to slow down, use the restroom, and make sure you have energy for the next climbs and lookout stops.

If you are traveling on a schedule, set expectations now: this is not a quick stop for a sandwich and a sprint. It is a real pause.

Miradouro do Teleferico das Achadas da Cruz: view first, no cable car ride

Next comes Miradouro do Teleferico das Achadas da Cruz, a viewpoint about 40 minutes long. The route passes through Santa, and the guide explains that this area connects to Madeira’s steepest and highest cable car.

Here’s the key detail: you do not take the cable car itself. Instead, you enjoy the view from the outside and the viewpoint effect that makes people feel a little nervous. You get that steep sense of the drop without dealing with ticket lines or a ride.

After that viewpoint time, you reach a small chapel with a beautiful outlook that is great for photos. This is a nice practical addition because the day includes both wide views and a calm moment where you can focus on composition without sprinting to the next stop.

If you are the type who cares about photos, this chapel stop is a good one to slow down. Stand, look both ways, and choose your angle instead of snapping as you move.

Miradouro do Pico Vermelho: a short 30 minutes of west-coast power

The next viewpoint is Miradouro do Pico Vermelho, about 30 minutes. You reach it through the middle of a small off-road stretch, and the reward is a view over the west coastline.

This is the kind of stop that feels efficient. You get a clear location, a short time, and a big result. Even if you are not a serious photographer, you will likely notice how the coast looks from the ridge compared to the coastline views from Porto Moniz.

Bring something warm enough for wind. Ridge viewpoints can feel cooler than the town. Also, keep your camera strap short if it is breezy.

Ponta do Pargo: cliffs, lighthouse, and Madeira’s western edge

The final major stop is Ponta do Pargo, where you get a look at the westernmost viewpoint of the island. The time here is about 1 hour 30 minutes, and the focus is on the cliffs and the lighthouse.

This stop is a satisfying closer because it shifts from looking down at pools and towns to looking out at the island’s edge. If you want that “this is truly the west end” feeling, this is where you get it.

After Ponta do Pargo, you start the return journey to the hotels and the tour ends back at the meeting point. That return ride is why the earlier meal stop in Porto Moniz matters, especially if you skipped lunch or only grabbed a snack.

What makes Chris’s guiding style work for your day

Across multiple descriptions of this tour, Chris shows up as the reason it feels smooth instead of chaotic. He is described as funny and fun, and also serious about giving facts that help you interpret what you see. There are also notes about flexibility with weather, which is important on Madeira because conditions can change quickly.

One review specifically notes the tour included parts of the island that many people do not see when they base themselves mainly around the most obvious stops. Another highlights a personal story about Madeira that made the day feel more connected, not just observational.

The big practical takeaway for you: if the sky turns ugly, a flexible guide makes a difference. Instead of sticking to a fixed plan and hoping for sun, Chris can adapt so the day still feels worthwhile.

Tips to get the most out of the day

Here are a few things that will make this style of tour easier and more fun:

• Pack layers, even if the morning feels warm. Wind at viewpoints is real.
• Wear grippy shoes for uneven ground at forest and lookout areas.
• Bring swimwear only if you want an option, since pool admission is not included.
• Plan for your own food during the Porto Moniz town break, because lunch is not part of the package.
• Expect a full car day. Even with multiple stops, you spend a lot of time traveling between them.
• Ask questions early, especially about flora and fauna. If the guide is in storytelling mode, that early connection makes later viewpoints easier to enjoy.

Also, the experience requires good weather. On a cloudy, rainy day, you might get misted-in viewpoints. If the tour has to be canceled due to poor weather, you should expect an alternate date or a full refund.

Who should book this tour, and who might prefer something else

This tour is a strong match if you want Madeira’s west side and you enjoy viewpoints. It also fits people who like off-road driving and a small group pace.

It is also a good choice if you prefer your time with a guide who explains what you are seeing, not just where to stand for a photo. Chris’s mix of facts, humor, and weather-aware flexibility is a clear advantage when you want your day to flow.

You might want to skip it if you strongly dislike rougher roads or you need a very relaxed schedule with minimal driving. The day is designed around getting to higher and more dramatic viewpoints, so the driving is part of the experience.

Should you book the Untraveled West Tour?

Yes, if your goal is a west-focused day that includes Fanal forest, Porto Moniz, multiple viewpoints, and a proper finish at Ponta do Pargo, all with a small-group guide in an air-conditioned jeep. At $82.80, the value is mainly in the transport efficiency and the access to spots that are harder to reach on your own.

I would book it especially if you want to mix famous highlights with less obvious angles, and if you’re open to spending a good chunk of the day outdoors or at ridge viewpoints. If you want a calm, fully paved, low-effort outing, then this style of itinerary is probably not your best match.

FAQ

How long is the Untraveled West Tour in Madeira?

The tour runs about 7 to 8 hours.

What is included in the price?

You get an air-conditioned vehicle and a licensed or certified guide. Admission to some stops is included, but not everything is.

Are Porto Moniz natural swimming pools admission tickets included?

No. The pools admission is not included, so if you plan to swim you will need to pay separately. Viewpoints around the pools and time in town are still part of the experience.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You have time in Porto Moniz to eat or buy snacks.

Is pickup offered from Funchal?

Pickup is offered. The meeting point is CR7 Museum in São Martinho, and the jeep used by Just Madeira has the company name on it and dark tinted windows on the backside.

How many people are in a group?

The tour has a maximum of 6 travelers.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. The experience depends on good weather, and if it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.