Monte Toboggon Rides in Madeira

The Monte toboggan ride was originally a fast means of transport down to Funchal for people living in Monte, these toboggan sledges appeared around 1850.

Still in use today, the Monte toboggan ride attracts thousands of tourists every year who want experience sliding at high speed on narrow, winding streets down to Funchal. The two-seater wicker sledges glide on wooden runners, pushed and steered by two men traditionally dressed in white cotton clothes and a straw hat, using their rubber-soled boots as brakes.

The downhill journey to Funchal takes about 10 minutes on a course of 2 km, reaching at times a speed of 48 km/hour. An old-fashioned toboggan ride to make get down from Monte is in contrast to the high-technology cable car going up to Monte.

Don’t miss the Monte toboggan ride!

You can f ind the Monte toboggans at the bottom of the stairs leading to the Nossa Senhora do Monte Church (tel. 291 783 919).