Madeira SkyPark: Construction Begins on the World’s Highest Cable Car

Construction has officially started on the Madeira SkyPark. Discover how this €48.5M project in Curral das Freiras will feature the world’s highest cable car above ground and a 2.3 km mega-zipline.

Construction has officially begun on Madeira SkyPark, an ambitious €48.5 million eco-adventure project set to transform the rugged mountain terrain between Curral das Freiras (Valley of the Nuns) and Jardim da Serra. Slated for completion in 2028, the landmark attraction will feature two state-of-the-art cable car systems—including one poised to break global records for vertical clearance above ground—alongside one of the world’s longest ziplines.

Developed under a 50-year public concession, the project aims to establish an all-season regional icon that draws visitors deeper into Madeira’s dramatic interior landscape while revitalizing local mountain communities.

Record-Breaking Cable Cars Above the Clouds

The centerpiece of the development is an engineering feat designed to offer visitors unprecedented aerial panoramas of Madeira’s volcanic valleys:

• Paredão – Boca da Corrida Line (World-Record Height): Spanning a horizontal distance of 3,070 meters with an elevation change of 230 meters, this line will operate two cabins. It features one of the widest suspended spans in the world and will claim the title of the highest cable car above the ground on Earth, soaring more than 700 meters over the valley floor.
• Curral das Freiras – Miradouro do Paredão Line: Connecting the heart of the valley to the Paredão viewpoint, this 1,012-meter line tackles a dramatic 789-meter vertical incline. It will utilize two 15-passenger cabins to ferry visitors up from the valley floor in minutes.

A 2.3-Kilometer Mega Zipline and Adventure Park

Beyond the aerial tramways, the Madeira SkyPark will host a wide array of outdoor activities tailored for eco-tourists, hikers, and thrill-seekers:

• One of the World’s Longest Ziplines: Thrill-seekers will be able to fly down a 2,300-meter descent connecting Boca da Corrida to the valley terminal in Curral das Freiras.
• Nature Interpretation Center: Dedicated spaces to educate travelers about the unique endemic flora, fauna, and geological formations of Madeira’s central mountain massif.
• Commercial and Cultural Hubs: On-site commercial areas and hospitality spaces designed to showcase local regional products, crafts, and mountain cuisine.

Boosting the Inland Economy

With an anticipated capacity to welcome over 200,000 visitors annually, the project is structured to decentralize tourism away from coastal resorts into the island’s interior.

According to project officials, Madeira SkyPark will create approximately 50 direct permanent jobs during operational phases and is projected to generate upwards of €400 million in public revenue across its concession lifespan.

For the neighboring villages of Jardim da Serra and Curral das Freiras, the infrastructure promises to bring year-round economic activity, improved accessibility to scenic vantage points, and sustainable business opportunities for local operators, restaurants, and guides.

Work on the site is scheduled to proceed over the coming months, with public opening targeted for 2028.