Madeira’s New Hiking Fee Comes with a Strict Liability Clause
13 December, 2025
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Madeira’s New Hiking Fee Comes with a Strict Liability Clause
By now, most travelers know that Madeira has introduced entrance fees for its most popular hiking trails (Levadas). However, while booking your ticket online, there is a crucial detail that many might miss—but strictly must accept.
As you can see in the screenshot below from the official booking portal, it is impossible to purchase a ticket without checking a specific box regarding liability.
The checkbox reads:
“Users of pedestrian routes are personally and exclusively responsible for any material or human damage that occurs during their use – Article 11 of Regional Legislative Decree No. 24/2022/M, of December 19.”
What does this mean for you? This clause shifts the responsibility entirely onto the hiker. By purchasing the ticket, you acknowledge that you are personally liable for any mishaps. This covers “material or human damage,” which implies that if you injure yourself, get lost requiring rescue, or cause damage to the trail infrastructure, the costs and responsibility fall “exclusively” on you.
You cannot proceed with the payment or receive your QR code without accepting these terms.
Update for Tomorrow, March 3rd Please be advised that due to severe weather conditions forecast for tomorrow, all recommended hiking trails and levadas across Madeira will be officially closed. Safety is the top priority for everyone on the island. The anticipated weather makes these routes highly unpredictable and dangerous. Heavy rain and high winds significantly increase the risk of landslides, falling rocks, and rapid, unexpected flooding along the levada channels....
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