You Now Have to Pay to Hike on This European Island Famous for Beautiful Trails
Known for its lush landscapes, dramatic cliffs, and year-round mild climate, Madeira is still somehow a bit under-the-radar when it comes to outdoor destinations. But it’s quickly becoming more popular, thanks to its world-class downhill mountain bike trails, diverse ecosystems shaped by its volcanic origins, and extensive network of hiking trails. The island has more than 1,200 miles of trails, split primarily between “levadas” (trails along historic irrigation channels through lush forests, mountainous terrain, and coastal vistas), and “vereda” trails — steeper, usually more rugged trails, providing direct access to Madeira’s dramatic summits and cliffs.
And in an effort to make sure the growing numbers of tourists don’t negatively impact Madeira’s natural environment, the island just introduced a new three-euro fee for hikers aged 12 and above to access many hiking trails. Effective immediately, the Madeira hiking fee applies to seven of the island’s most popular trails: Pico do Areeiro, Pico Ruivo, Levada do Risco, Levada do Caldeirão Verde, Balcões, Levada do Rei, and Ponta de São Lourenço. Starting in January 2025, another 23 trails will require a fee, for a total of 30 in all.
A woman hiking toward Pico Ruivo. Photo: Christopher Moswitzer/Shutterstock
Madeira’s regional secretary of Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment Rafaela Fernandes announced the news to media on October 29, stating that all fees collected would be used for trail maintenance and cleaning. All Madeira hiking fees will be collected and administered by the island’s Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation (IFNC), and fees of up to 50 euros will be charged for hikers caught violating the requirement. The charge only applies to foreign tourists, and residents can continue to use the island’s trail at no cost (though the IFNC is funded by taxpayers).
Visitors must pay the small fee in advance online on through the Madeira regional government’s “Simplifica.” The Simplifica website is already used by the Madeiran government for other activities and attractions that require a permit, including camping, canyoning licenses, or fees to scuba dive in the island’s Cabo Girão Marine Natural Park. As of now, in the early stages of implementation, fees can be paid and reserved more than a year in advance. The booking website offers 2,000 passes per day for each of the seven included trails, though there’s no word if that’s a daily cap, or just a placeholder number in the ticket-buying system.
Photo: Galyna Andrushko/Shutterstock
In addition to the fee, some popular trailheads have parking fees at nearby lots, including those at Queimadas Natural Park and the Pico do Areeiro Trailhead. Fees range from two to four euros per hour, and are paid upon entry. Parking lots near popular trailheads can fill up in advance, so it’s best to arrive early whenever possible.
Madeira is hardly the first to institute a fee for trail access; in fact, it’s something done across many of the most popular hikes in America’s national parks, as well as especially notably hikes, throughout the US, like Kauaʻi’s Kalalau Trail. Ultimately, Madeira’s hiking fee represents an effort to adapt to rising visitor numbers while maintaining the island’s healthy ecosystems. Three euros per person isn’t likely to disuade anyone from taking a hiking trip to Madeira, but it is enough to generate revenue for basic services and maintenance — and makes a symbolic gesture to show the island’s natural beauty is a resource worth investing in.
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