With its rough mountains, lush slopes and breathtaking natural scenery, Madeira is a mecca for hiking lovers, and its scenic trails are one of the island’s biggest draws.
They’re so popular, in fact, that back in January 2025, visitor fees were implemented for tourists planning to explore the Portuguese archipelago.
Any non-residents over the age of 12 had to pay €3 (£2.50) to hike across its popular trails managed by the Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation (ICNF) in Madeira.
But as of 2026, these fees have now increased, with one trail re-opening to cost nearly £10 for tourists to take a hike.
Most other scenic walks have now gone up to €4.50 (£3.90) on the island, while visitor caps have also been implemented for each trail (although it’s not clear how many hikers are allowed to visit each day). Those who don’t pay could face a €50 (£42) fine.
The fees apply to all the archipelago’s most popular trails, including: Pico do Areeiro, Pico Ruivo, Levada do Risco, Levada do Caldeirão Verde, Balcões, Levada do Rei and Ponta de São Lourenço.
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However, if you’re keen to hike the Vereda do Areeiro (PR1) trail, which links Pico do Areeiro and Pico Ruivo – it’ll cost you £6 more than other walks.
‘Iconic’ hiking trail set to reopen with an increased fee
This PR1 trail is set to reopen in April 2026, after closing in August 2024 for safety and improvement works.
When it opens, visitors will have to pay a fee of €10.50 (£9.13) per person to walk it, or €7 (£6) if they’re with a tour operator group.
Also known as part of the Highest Peaks, it’s a seven kilometre trail which takes roughly three-and-a-half hours to walk, and passes through tunnels dug out of the volcanic tufts – which used to shelter cattle and shepherds – and steep slopes.
The move is part of a strive towards sustainable tourism and to enhance conservation.
All hiking costs will go towards cleaning and maintaining the trails, according to Rafaela Fernandes, regional secretary of agriculture, fisheries and the environment for Madeira, The Portugal News reports.
Going hiking? Make sure you book your slot
If you want to hike in Madeira, you’ll need to go to the SIMplifica platform, create an account, and select the trail you’d like to walk on.
You’ll need to pick a date and a 30-minute entry window to arrive and begin your hike, before paying for the slot. You can’t pay cash on arrival.
You’ll also need proof of your reservation (digital or paper copy) in case officials ask to see it.
While they don’t have to pay, even residents must register and reserve a time slot to enjoy their local sights.
It is hoped that the charges will encourage tourists to hike the lesser-visited trails on the island.
Hikers can pay via the regional government portal Simplifica, or with on-site payment options available at ICNF stations along the trails.
The website currently offers 2,000 passes for the seven included trails, though it hasn’t been confirmed if this is a daily cap.
Explore Madeira
Located off the west coast of Africa, TikToker @thechaosdiaries has compared Madeira to epic bucket list destinations such as Hawaii, Peru, and Croatia, thanks to the rugged cliffs and volcanic scenery, while @destinationinspiration dubbed it the ‘Hawaii of Europe’.
The island is home to nearly 1,800km of hiking trails, and there are countless places to get lost, from the network of trails along the east and west coast to the Central Mountain range.
On the north coast you’ll find some of the Madiera’s most ‘beautiful levadas – a system of man-made irrigation channels or aqueducts that crisscross the island, visitmadeira.com says.
While on the south coast hikers can enjoy ‘breathtaking views’ over Funchal, the capital and largest city of the archipelago.
The Levada Do Caldeirao Verde is the island’s most popular route, according to Tripadvisor. The moderately difficult trail has a distance of 5.4 miles and takes around six and a half hours.
One review, left by Claudia P, read: ‘You feel like you’re in the wild and the waterfall at the end is nice. We’ve enjoyed every second of this trip.’
Another described it as ‘an experience not to be missed in Madeira’.
The Levada das 25 Fontes is another popular route with tourists, around 2.6 miles long and an estimated duration of three hours.
Tripadvisor reviews describe it as a ‘beautiful walk but busy with tourists’ and advise visitors to get there early to avoid the crowds.
Madeira’s new hiking fee follows a wave of regulations and measures to combat overtourism in Europe including restrictions on where they can and can’t take selfies, tourist tax hikes, fines for hogging sun loungers or hiking in flip flops, and limited access to certain beaches.
The five best hiking trails in Madeira
The five best hiking trails in Madeira, according to TripAdvisor.
This article was originally published on November 6, 2024 and has since been updated.
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