Madeira trail status: booking, fees and hiking rules

Official routes are shown as open, restricted or closed. A restricted trail may have an inaccessible section, one-way movement or another important limitation. Read the individual listing; do not rely only on the colour label or an old search result.

Visit Madeira provides an updated list of classified routes, while IFCN publishes notices and conditions. Avoid undated copies in blogs, saved maps and social posts. Check again on the morning of the hike, especially after rain, high winds or fire.

• Open: follow the conditions published for that route.
• Restricted: read exactly which section or direction is allowed.
• Closed: do not enter; choose an officially open alternative.

Official tourism guidance requires advance booking for classified PR trails. In SIMplifica, choose the route, date and a 30-minute entry window. Register every participant, including exempt visitors, and complete payment before travelling to an area with limited mobile coverage.

1. Confirm the route status and conditions.
2. Choose the route, date and available timeslot.
3. Add all participants and applicable exemptions.
4. Pay, download the confirmation and save it offline.
5. Check the status again on the day.

At the 12 July 2026 review, an individual IFCN-managed route costs €4.50, except the complete PR1. Partial PR1 access as far as the Pedra Rija viewpoint also costs €4.50; the complete PR1 costs €10.50. Combined options are available for 1 day (€9), 3 days (€22.50) and 7 days (€52.50), excluding PR1.

A combined fee does not remove the need to reserve every route and timeslot. Because the model is recent and can change, use these figures as guidance and confirm the total shown in SIMplifica.

Residents of the Autonomous Region of Madeira are exempt from the fee when they prove residence with a valid SIMplifica-issued resident card and identification. Official information also provides exemptions for children aged 12 or under and people with a disability of 60% or more, under the published conditions.

A payment exemption does not mean entry without registration. Reserve the timeslot and apply the correct exemption to each participant.

PR1 has its own rules and logistics. Official information reviewed in July 2026 describes the complete route beyond Pedra Rija as one-way from Pico do Areeiro towards Pico Ruivo, exiting via PR1.1 towards Ilha or PR1.2 towards Achada do Teixeira.

Walkers are responsible for arranging the return. Check the status of every section, permitted direction and transport before booking. Do not assume a partial opening allows the full crossing.

A weather warning does not automatically mean every trail is closed; check the individual status. Even when a route is open, rain, wind, fog and slippery ground may make it unsuitable for your experience. Do not hike alone, tell someone your plan, finish before dark and carry suitable water, food, clothing and footwear.

The official model provides rescheduling or refunds when the authority officially closes or restricts the booked route. Ordinary rain, illness, a cancelled flight or missed transport do not guarantee a refund. In an emergency, call 112.