Madeira Island Ultra Trail (MIUT): event in Madeira
Madeira Island Ultra Trail (MIUT) takes place 24 April 2027 to 25 April 2027 at Porto Moniz → Machico, Madeira. It runs every year.
MIUT 2027 races, start towns, entry dates and fees. Five distances from 17 km to the 110 km Porto Moniz to Machico crossing.
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About Madeira Island Ultra Trail (MIUT)
Madeira Island Ultra Trail (MIUT) sends runners across the spine of the island, Porto Moniz → Machico on the entry list is the traverse itself. If you're not running, the finish arch at Machico around dawn on day two is the moment worth witnessing.
Runners should have entered months ago; spectators have it easier. The finish area at Machico is the highlight for a non-runner, and the mid-course support points at Pico Ruivo and Encumeada offer the best photo opportunities if you have a car.
MIUT (Madeira Island Ultra-Trail) is Madeira's biggest trail race. The 18th edition runs on 24 and 25 April 2027, organised by Clube de Montanha do Funchal. The flagship Legend crosses the island coast to coast, starting in Porto Moniz at midnight, and every race finishes in Machico, where the race office and MIUT Expo are based at Fórum Machico.
There are five races for 2027, with about 3,300 places in total. Legend: 110 km, +7,200 m, starts Porto Moniz at 00:00 on Saturday 24 April (1,000 places). Advanced: 80 km, +4,760 m, starts São Vicente at 07:00 on the 24th (600 places). Discover: 56 km, +2,800 m, starts Boaventura at 09:00 on the 24th (600 places). Marathon: 40 km, +1,450 m, starts Monte (Funchal) at 11:00 on the 24th (800 places). Starter: 17 km, +510 m, starts Porto da Cruz at 08:00 on Sunday 25 April (800 places).
Entries open one race at a time in October 2026, always at 15:00 Madeira time: Legend on 12 October, Advanced on 13 October, Discover on 14 October, Marathon on 15 October and Starter on 16 October. 80% of places go by direct entry and 20% by ballot; ballot pre-registration runs from 26 October to 9 November 2026, with the draw on 14 November.
What to know before you go
- Stay near Porto Moniz → Machico if you can, the closest guesthouses go first, and driving in on the day means slow traffic and scarce parking.
- Public transport runs extra services on the main event days, but parking near Porto Moniz → Machico becomes very limited, arrive early or plan to walk in.
- Street programming is free. Paid elements, grandstand seats, gala dinners, indoor concerts, release in waves and disappear quickly once the dates are official.
- Photograph early. The best light and the smallest crowds are usually in the first hour of the programme, not the headline slot.
- Entry fees to 30 November 2026 / from 1 December 2026 to 15 March 2027: Legend €180 / €195, Advanced €140 / €160, Discover €110 / €120, Marathon €90 / €100, Starter €40 / €55.
- Legend, Advanced and Discover need ITRA points at the moment you register (4, 2 and 1 point respectively, or the equivalent km-effort score). Results earned afterwards do not count, so check your ITRA profile before entries open.
- A medical certificate (official template) and an online medical questionnaire are mandatory by 20 March 2027, or the entry is cancelled without refund.
- Race buses to every start leave from Machico, and from Funchal for all races except the Starter. Check-in is at Fórum Machico.
- Sold out? The official travel agency (Intertours Madeira) holds 20 places for runners booking an accommodation package of at least 5 nights, until 28 February 2027.
- Supporters: personal assistance is allowed only on Legend, Advanced and Discover, one helper per runner, in the marked zones around official aid stations. None is allowed on the Marathon or Starter.
- Prize-giving is on Sunday 25 April at Praça Fórum Machico: 12:30 for Legend and Advanced, 13:30 for Discover, Marathon and Starter.
- The course is not closed to other users, so hikers will share paths with runners that weekend. Plan high-mountain walks for 24 and 25 April with that in mind.
Best time to visit
The main programme runs around April. Arrive a day early to settle in and see the build-up: set-up day is often the most photogenic.
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Frequently asked
When is Madeira Island Ultra Trail (MIUT)?
The next confirmed dates for Madeira Island Ultra Trail (MIUT) are 2027-04-24 to 2027-04-25. The event recurs every year.
How do I get to Madeira Island Ultra Trail (MIUT) and where should I stay?
The finish line in Porto Moniz → Machico runs 24 hours; the atmosphere peaks in the middle of the night as the leaders come in. Bring warm layers even in June.
What's the best day or time to experience Madeira Island Ultra Trail (MIUT)?
The elite finish comes in around lunchtime; the mid-pack streams in through the afternoon and evening. The most emotional finishes, cutoff-chasers, first-timers, families waiting, happen after dark.
What are the local traditions behind Madeira Island Ultra Trail (MIUT)?
The course uses the levada and vereda network that has been walked for centuries. Locals with running family in the race set up impromptu supply points on the trail, a Madeiran hospitality that pre-dates the race itself.
When is MIUT 2027?
The 18th Madeira Island Ultra-Trail takes place on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April 2027. The Legend starts at midnight on the night of 23 to 24 April in Porto Moniz; the Starter runs on Sunday morning.
When does MIUT 2027 registration open?
Entries open at 15:00 Madeira time on a different day for each race: Legend 12 October 2026, Advanced 13 October, Discover 14 October, Marathon 15 October and Starter 16 October. Ballot pre-registration runs 26 October to 9 November, with the draw on 14 November.
What distances are there at MIUT 2027?
Five: Legend 110 km (+7,200 m) from Porto Moniz, Advanced 80 km (+4,760 m) from São Vicente, Discover 56 km (+2,800 m) from Boaventura, Marathon 40 km (+1,450 m) from Monte in Funchal, and Starter 17 km (+510 m) from Porto da Cruz. All finish in Machico.
How much does it cost to enter MIUT 2027?
Until 30 November 2026: Legend €180, Advanced €140, Discover €110, Marathon €90, Starter €40. From 1 December 2026 to 15 March 2027: €195, €160, €120, €100 and €55.
Do I need ITRA points for MIUT?
Yes for the three longest races: Legend needs 4 ITRA points, Advanced 2 and Discover 1 (or the equivalent km-effort score), held at the time you register. The Marathon and Starter need no qualifying points.
Where does MIUT finish?
In Machico, on the east coast. The race office, check-in and MIUT Expo are at Fórum Machico, and the prize-giving is on Praça Fórum Machico on Sunday 25 April.
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Plan the rest of your trip
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