Madeira East Circuit

From the parking lot at the cliff Cabo Girão near Quinta Grande, we initially drive about 25 km northward on the VR1 and VE4 to the village Sao Vicente. South of the settlement is a worthwhile volcanology center. The route then runs eastwards on the ER211 along the north coast to Ponta Delgada, which is only about 7 km away. Via São Jorge, about 12 km further east, we reach Santana on the VE1, where we leave the ER211 towards Santana at the roundabout (first exit) and drive about 13 km further south inland towards Pico Ruivo. After visiting/climbing the summit, we return to the roundabout and take the first exit. Then we follow the road for about 7 km and turn onto the ER110 towards Porto da Cruz. There along the coast, about 1 km from the town center, there are numerous geological structures (volcanic deposits). We continue driving south and switch to the VE1 after about 1.5 km. We follow the road for about 28 km southwards until just before Machico and then turn east on the ER214 towards Caniçal. We then continue to the coast and stop at a viewpoint on the peninsula Ponta de São Lourenço, which is located near the viewing platform "Miradouro Ponta de Sao Vincente". Afterwards, we drive back to the last exit and continue the route along the coastal road. Via the towns of Gaula and Caniço, we drive towards the southwest-located capital Funchal. After about 15 km, we reach the famous Christ the King statue. We then continue westwards on the VR1 and reach Funchal after about 6 km. Now only about 13 km separate us from the starting point, which is west of the island's capital city.