Madeira to charge for hiking trails from 2025

Madeira is full of beautiful hiking trails, and with the increasing number of tourists, it has decided to “fight” by a combination of reservation and entrance fee. From 1 January 2025, you will now pay a fee of 3 euros per person to visit more than 30 hiking trails in Madeira. The fee can be paid online on the official website and must be paid before going to each place. This is because it also includes the aforementioned per person entry reservation. If you do not pay the fee, you can be fined up to 50 euros.

From 28 October 2024 onwards, you will encounter this fee on the following treks:

• Pico do Arieiro (PR1)
• Pico Ruivo (PR1.2)
• Levada do Risco (PR6.1)
• Levada do Caldeirão Verde (PR9)
• Vereda dos Balcões (PR11)
• Levada do Rei (PR18)
• Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8)

Madeira is not the only destination where similar efforts are made to regulate the occupancy of treks or sites. Just think of the debates around Venice, Italy. Overseas, national parks in the USA are similarly affected.

Don’t let the fees put you off

While it goes without saying that such fees, or the general agenda around booking entry to individual venues, is a complication, don’t be put off by this news. In the case of Madeira, the above-mentioned trails are the most beautiful thing the island has to offer. We’ve seen this for ourselves, and you’ll find a selection of treks in our itinerary, which takes you all over the island. If you’re interested in learning more about Madeira, explore the whole destination here.