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Discover Mountain Alex’s hiking tours in Madeira: nature, movement, and community on the island.
Two years ago, I met Alex, through the community Madeira Friends by joining a walk: the beautiful Vereda do Larano. He’s originally from Germany, but like many who come here, he didn’t just visit, he stayed. What started as a simple hike turned into a friendship.
We stayed in touch, occasionally crossing paths on the island. But recently, Alex had taken a leap and started his own hiking guide business, organizing community walks across the island. So a few weeks ago, I joined one of his own hikes, this time on the stunning Vereda da Trompica. And that’s when I realized: Alex doesn’t just guide hikes. He creates experiences.
More Than a Walk
Before the walk even starts, he gathers everyone for a brief introduction. Not just about safety or logistics, but about connection. He makes sure everyone feels comfortable, seen, and welcome. Then he says something that perfectly captures his philosophy:
“This is a community hike. Talk to people. Exchange numbers. Do business together. Meet friends. Go on dates.”
It’s simple and powerful. You’re not just there to walk. You’re there to share something.
When Poetry Meets the Mountains
One of the most unexpected moments came in the middle of the trail. Alex paused, with the vast landscape opening around us, and shared a poem he had written. He has a deep love for poetry, and occasionally he brings it into the hike, letting his words blend with the scenery.
Standing there, surrounded by mountains and ocean views, listening to poetry, it transformed the moment. It wasn’t just about reaching the destination. It was about being present. He reminds people that hikes are not just about landscapes. They’re about the people you meet, the conversations you have, and the memories you create.
A Trail That Reveals the Island’s True Scale
The Vereda da Trompica itself was full of surprises. At one point, you stand on a ridge where the island reveals itself in both directions. To one side, you see Funchal and Câmara de Lobos stretching along the south coast. Turn the other way, and you’re looking toward São Vicente on the opposite side.
In that moment, you realize how incredibly diverse the island really is. It makes you stop and think: this is Madeira. An island that never stops surprising you. Never stops inviting you to explore more.
Meet Alex: The Person Behind the Experience
What’s your story, and what brought you to Madeira?
It wasn’t a big master plan. It was movement. After Covid, I started traveling again. In Mallorca, I rediscovered hiking. I realized that what I love most about islands is simple: you can hike and you can swim. A friend told me, “Then you have to visit Madeira.” I came. I walked. I swam. And like many others, I stayed. Madeira felt like a place where nature, community, and rhythm come together in a way that makes sense.
What made you decide to start your own hiking business here? Did you had any training or knowledge on this?
I had been hiking every weekend since Mallorca, gradually doing longer and more technical routes. Madeira was the perfect terrain to deepen that. The turning point was a community hike organized by Gonçalo Hall. It showed me how powerful shared movement in nature can be. When he encouraged nomads to organize future hikes themselves, I took that step. What started as a post in a group quickly became something bigger. A friend suggested the name “Mountain Alex.” I created a flyer. Two days later, I had my first clients. Since then, it has evolved into something structured and intentional. Before every hike, I walk the route myself. I check conditions. I look at exposed sections. I think about pacing. That preparation allows the group to feel relaxed and safe on the day itself. I am prepared so you don’t have to be. I have fear of heights, which makes me a better guide. I can feel the danger, and adjust accordingly on the spot or even during preparation. Effortless for them. Prepared for me.
With so many guides on the island, what makes your hikes different?
Every guide brings something different. My philosophy is that hiking is one of the simplest ways to live a healthier life. Mentally and physically. Over time, I’ve seen the same three things happen again and again when people hike together: You reconnect with your body, simply because you move. You integrate into Madeira’s nature, which gives you perspective and calms you down. And because we are social beings, doing it together makes us feel better. When these three come together, something shifts. Not in a dramatic way. But people slow down. They breathe differently. Conversations deepen. I use elements like poetry, little historic facts or silence to help people break their daily mental loops.
For me, it was and is my way to a healthier life. So, I don’t just guide people through landscapes. I create spaces where connection can happen. That applies to community hikes and to private clients alike.
What’s your favorite spot in Madeira?
That’s almost impossible to answer. Levada Nova and Levada do Moinho in Ponta do Sol are special to me. It was my first hike here, and I’ve walked it many times with many stories attached to it. São Lourenço, even if it is crowded now, is still unique. It feels like a geological snapshot of how Madeira was formed. And Porto da Cruz holds another memory: learning to surf. The black sand, the old sugar mill ruins, the dramatic rock formation, and the sunsets there are unforgettable.
What’s your favorite local food or restaurant?
Casa de Pasto Justiniano in the North.
The fish skewers are excellent, and the bolo do caco is among the best I’ve had on the island.
How do you see the Madeiran people?
My Madeiran friends have shown me parts of the island beyond the tourist layer. There is a strong sense of community here. And I learned from them not to trust the weather report. Or as they say: “We always have three seasons at the same time, so be prepared.”But like many places that rely on tourism, Madeira balances opportunity and tension. And yet I haven’t seen any bitterness. There is resilience and heart. That says a lot.
What made you choose to stay here and build a life?
My digital nomad journey became a healing and growth journey.
And Madeira is perfect for that: nature, ocean, rhythm, and community. I felt aligned. Staying was a natural next step.
If a friend visited you, where would you take them first?
On a hike. It’s the fastest way to understand Madeira. The scale. The cliffs. The vegetation. The light. After that, a proper local lunch, maybe Casa de Pasto Justiniano, and a sunset swim on one of the stone beaches. I like them. Barefoot, they’re a free foot massage.
And finally, what message or motto would you like to share?
Hiking reminds you that progress isn’t linear. There are climbs. There are flat sections. There are descents. I had many of those. On a hike and in life. But you keep moving. And when you move together, the journey becomes lighter. Because sometimes, the most meaningful journeys are not just about the places we explore but about the people who guide us along the way. Thank you “Mountain Alex”!
PS- You can book a tour or get in touch with Alex through his Instagram or Website and you can get 10% discount if you book through Madeira Unlocked app.[:]
