Trails
Levada do Bom Sucesso
3.6 km, Rua Dr Antonino Costa to Babosas
The place
Bom Sucesso is the stepped way up from Funchal's old town to Monte. The climb takes between an hour and a half and two hours and gains several hundred metres, with stairs making up much of the effort. The trail begins in the old town and finishes at the top of the Monte cable car, among the cafés and restaurants there.
The walk is one way, so plan the return by taxi or ride-hailing car from Monte, or retrace your steps on foot.
Highlights
- Stairs make up much of the climb from the old town, so most of the effort is on steps.
- The trail starts in the old town, so you can walk to the start from the city centre without needing a car.
- The finish at the top of the Monte cable car has cafés and restaurants.
- The route runs one way from the old town to Monte, so it does not loop back to its start.
When to come
Start in the morning so the climb is finished before the midday heat, and choose a dry day when you can.
Getting there
Start in central Funchal, close to the old town, and walk up from there rather than driving. Finish at the top of the Monte cable car and return by taxi or ride-hailing car, or walk back down the same way.
Worth knowing
- Allow an hour and a half to two hours for the one-way climb, plus time at the top.
- Wear shoes with good grip for the stairs.
- Carry water for the whole climb.
- Plan the return by taxi or ride-hailing car from Monte, since the route is one way.
- Pace the effort from the start, as most of the climb is on steps.
- Parts of this path have been reported closed or damaged in recent years, so check its current state with IFCN (+351 291 145 590) before you set out.