Carreiros do Monte

Activity in Monte (Madeira)

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Karelj

On the picturesque island of Madeira, nestled within the city of Funchal, an exhilarating adventure awaits. The Monte Basket Carts offer a unique mode of transportation, carrying passengers on an exciting downhill journey from Monte to Livramento, covering a distance of two kilometers in just ten minutes. Settle into a wicker basket cart perched atop wooden skids and glide down the Caminho do Comboio, a road specially designed for this thrilling experience.

This remarkable mode of transport operates with only two seats, and it relies on the skillful coordination of two individuals known as “Carreiros.” These skilled Carreiros use their feet to navigate and control the descent. The journey lasts for a mere 10 minutes, during which you can reach speeds of up to 38 km/h as you travel the 2-kilometer distance.

Each year, thousands of adventurers are captivated by the sheer excitement of hurtling down the streets in these unique wicker sleds. Comfortable cushions ensure a smooth ride, while passengers are securely in the capable hands of the Carreiros, who guide and propel the basket cart from behind, using their boots as brakes. This extraordinary mode of transportation has a rich history dating back to 1850 and remains a cherished tourist attraction to this day.

The Carreiros do Monte appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Monte (Madeira)!

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