A short coastal walk with sea views, terraced landscapes, and dramatic gorges

The walk to the Garganta Funda Lookout is one of the most impressive short walks on the west coast of Madeira. Many visitors drive directly to the parking lot above Ponta do Pargo, but those who walk there experience the landscape more intensely, more peacefully, and in a much more authentic way.

From Gato Legal down into the terraced landscape

The walk starts at the Gato Legal coffee roastery. You can grab a coffee beforehand or save your visit for later. Directly behind the café is a small, quiet road that slopes gently downhill. This is where the walk begins—peaceful, rural, and with sweeping views.

Die Wanderung beginnt bei der Kaffeerösterei Gato Legal. Sie können vorher einen Kaffee trinken oder Ihren Besuch auf später verschieben. Direkt hinter dem Café befindet sich eine kleine, ruhige Straße, die sanft bergab führt. Hier beginnt die Wanderung – friedlich, ländlich und mit weitreichender Aussicht.

When clouds are passing by, they often move quickly over the hills. The shadows visibly wander across the terraces, illuminating some areas while briefly darkening others. This dynamic play of light makes the path particularly lively.

After a few minutes, you will reach a narrow bridge that crosses a small stream. It flows through the landscape here, sometimes clearly audible, sometimes almost silent—depending on the season and rainfall. The bridge marks one of the quietest sections of the trail. All around are terraces, small pastures, and open areas where cows often graze, making the place seem even more peaceful and unspoiled.

It is precisely this combination of terrace views, sea views, narrow paths, passing cloud shadows, and the gentle stream that makes this part of the walk so atmospheric.

This is where your Madeira walk begins: peaceful, open, green, and with sea views.

About 30 minutes to the parking lot

After about 30 minutes, you will reach the parking lot where most visitors drive up to see the Garganta Funda waterfall. This is what makes your walk so special:
you don’t arrive at the top by car—you hike slowly to the viewpoint and get impressions along the way that you would never get from the parking lot.

The last section to the Garganta Funda Lookout

From the parking lot, another, somewhat rockier path leads to the actual lookout point. This section is short, but the ground is uneven, so sturdy shoes are recommended.

The reward is a dramatic view:
The Garganta Funda waterfall plunges deep into a gorge that opens up abruptly in front of you. It is particularly powerful after rain, but even on dry days, the depth of this gorge and the vastness of the sea beyond are impressive.

Conclusion: A short Madeira walk with a big impact

This walk is perfect for visitors who:

• looking for a short, easily manageable coastal walk.

• If you want to not only “head for” an impressive viewpoint, but also experience it,

• want to take in Madeira’s terraced landscape in peace,

• or simply want to spend a special moment on the West Coast.

The trail is manageable, natural, and varied. And it shows how beautiful Madeira can be even away from the main hiking trails.

This post is also available in: German