Planning to hike Madeira’s spectacular mountains, explore its famous levadas or discover its breathtaking coastal trails? Important changes are coming, and visitors should know what to expect before their next holiday!
Madeira is one of Europe’s most spectacular destinations for hiking lovers. From the famous mountain crossing between Pico do Areeiro and Pico Ruivo to the lush Laurissilva forest and dramatic coastal landscapes of Ponta de São Lourenço, the island offers unforgettable outdoor experiences.
However, enjoying some of these natural attractions is about to become more expensive.
The Regional Government of Madeira has announced an increase in access fees for classified hiking trails managed by the Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation (IFCN).
The new prices will come into effect on 1 April 2027, affecting visitors aged over 12 who are not residents of Madeira.
Here is everything you need to know.
The new pricing structure introduces different fees depending on the hiking trail or natural area.
Here is the announced price list:
| Hiking trail / Area | New price |
|---|---|
| General access to classified hiking trails | €7.50 |
| PR1 – Vereda do Areeiro (Pico do Areeiro to Pedra Rija viewpoint) | €7.50 |
| PR1 – Vereda do Areeiro (full route to Pico Ruivo) | €18 |
| Vereda do Pico Ruivo (PR1.2) | €15 |
| Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço | €15 |
| Levada do Caldeirão Verde | €15 |
| Vereda dos Balcões | €15 |
| Circuito do Fanal (PR13) | €18 |
| Rabaçal Hiking Network | €18 |
| Madeira Crossing (Travessia da Madeira) | €75 |
A special note about PR1 – Vereda do Areeiro
The PR1 is the famous mountain trail connecting Pico do Areeiro, Pico das Torres and Pico Ruivo.
The new pricing announcement distinguishes between access to the Pedra Rija viewpoint and the wider route framework associated with Pico Ruivo and Encumeada.
Based on the wording of the announcement and the official IFCN description of the PR1, the €18 category appears to correspond to the full PR1 framework, rather than simply the short walk to Pedra Rija.
The full PR1 is approximately 6.1 km long and offers one of Madeira’s most spectacular mountain hiking experiences.
Visitors planning to explore several hiking trails during their stay will also have access to combined and multi-day passes.
The announced prices are:
| Pass | Price |
|---|---|
| Combined hiking trails – 1 day | €20 |
| 3 consecutive days | €45 |
| 7 consecutive days | €105 |
These options are designed for visitors who want to discover more of Madeira’s hiking network during their holiday.
One of the most significant changes concerns the Rabaçal area.
Home to some of Madeira’s most famous levada walks, this spectacular region includes several popular routes within an extensive network of approximately 40 kilometres.
The new access fee will cover the wider hiking network, including:
Importantly, the announced fee covers access to the wider network, meaning visitors will be able to explore different trails within this area without paying the fee separately for every individual route.
The changes will not be limited to hiking.
Autonomous scuba diving will also be subject to new access fees, including activities in the archipelago’s protected marine areas.
The announced price is:
This means that visitors planning diving activities in Madeira’s protected marine environments will also need to take the new fees into account.
There is some good news for certain visitors.
The following groups will remain exempt from hiking trail access fees:
Madeira residents will therefore continue to enjoy free access to the classified hiking trails covered by these fees.
The new pricing structure is scheduled to enter into force on:
1 April 2027
The advance announcement gives visitors and tourism businesses time to prepare for the changes ahead of the spring and summer holiday seasons.
According to the Regional Government, the additional revenue will help support the conservation and maintenance of Madeira’s natural heritage.
The investment is intended to contribute towards:
The Government also aims to encourage visitors to discover less crowded hiking routes and distribute tourism activity more evenly across the island.
Madeira’s hiking trails are among the island’s biggest attractions, bringing thousands of visitors every year to its mountains, forests and spectacular coastal landscapes.
With these new prices, planning a hiking holiday may require a little more preparation, particularly for visitors hoping to explore several of the island’s most famous routes.
Whether you are planning to walk from Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo, explore the magical Laurissilva forest or discover the dramatic landscapes of Ponta de São Lourenço, these changes are worth knowing about before your visit.
What do you think about these new prices? Is this a reasonable contribution towards protecting Madeira’s natural heritage, or are hiking holidays becoming too expensive?
We would love to hear your opinion!
For the complete announcement and further details, read the original report published by DNOTÍCIAS:
👉 READ THE FULL ARTICLE ON DNOTÍCIAS
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