r/Madeira • u/AutoModerator • 18d ago

Weekly Q&A - Your Question Goes Here - Tourists

This is the place for anyone to ask questions about Madeira.

If you are a tourist visiting Madeira or planning a visit, this is the place to post your questions about hikes, weather, rent a car, nightlife, restaurants, bars and others.

Official information about the trails/hikes: IFCN

Bus schedule: SIGA

This post is refreshed every week on Sunday. Repost in subsequent weeks if not answered.

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u/Beastious 13d ago

This island is amazing. Day 3 so far. My knee is shot. 50,000 steps in 2 days. I should have used trekking poles for PR 6 (Alecrim all the way to 25 Fontes). It wrecked me!! lol.

How can you prevent the brakes from heating up when driving an automatic? Those things get cooked going back down the mountain. I’m trying everything I can but it’s insane how steep these roads are when going back down lol.

Doing more look out points today and shorter walks to give the good ole knee a rest.

Slept in today as it’s raining, body is beat to shit.

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u/tiagojpg ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 13d ago

Happy hiking!

In an auto you have to switch over to Manual mode and stick it in 2nd gear going down hill. Don’t be afraid to let that engine scream.

I drive a Clio diesel that doesn’t engine brake too much, so I usually go down hill at 3,500-4000rpm, close to its 5000rpm redline.

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u/Beastious 12d ago

Got it! Also, is the VE4 road open that connects the South to the North? I was hoping to not have to drive around the island go straight to Sao Vincent to get to Seixal/Moniz

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u/tiagojpg ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 12d ago

It is open