Madeira's New Trail Booking Rules: What Walkers Need to Know Before Their Trip

If you walked in Madeira a few years ago, you probably just turned up at the start of a levada, laced your boots and set off. That has changed. Since 1 January 2026, walking on Madeira's and Porto Santo's classified trails requires an advance booking, and most visitors also pay a fee.

The rules are new, they have already been adjusted once, and we get questions about them almost every day. This guide explains, in plain English, what has changed, how to book, how much it costs and what it means if you walk with a guide.

Rules can change. Before you travel, always confirm the current details on the official SIMplifica portal (simplifica.madeira.gov.pt) or with the Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation (IFCN).

What has changed, and why

Madeira's best-known walks, the "PR" (Percurso Recomendado) trails such as the Vereda do Areeiro (PR1), Levada das 25 Fontes (PR6), Levada do Caldeirão Verde (PR9) and Levada do Rei (PR18), are classified walking routes managed by the IFCN.

From 1 January 2026, access to these classified trails works through a booking system on SIMplifica, the regional government's online services platform. The legal basis is Portaria no. 801/2025 of 10 December, which sets the fees, later amended by Portaria no. 48/2026 of 13 February.

According to the regional government, the aim is to control the carrying capacity of each trail, manage the flow of visitors, improve safety and protect the natural areas. Carrying-capacity studies were carried out by the University of Madeira before the system started.

Anyone who has walked PR1 or the 25 Fontes trail on a busy day in high season will understand why. The new system spreads walkers across the day instead of everyone arriving at the same time.

How much does it cost?

According to the fees reported by the regional press when the system launched:

A few points worth knowing:

• The fee is per person, per trail. If you plan to walk three classified trails during your holiday, you book and pay for each one.
• Some trails have different rates. The PR1 Vereda do Areeiro, between Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo, has its own pricing. Check SIMplifica for the current amount.
• Children under 12 are reported to be exempt from the fee, but check whether they still need to be registered.
• Residents do not pay. Since late January 2026 they can also simply show their citizen card and SIMplifica resident card at the start of a trail instead of booking.

How to book a trail on SIMplifica

The booking process is done online, and it is straightforward once you have done it once:

1. Go to simplifica.madeira.gov.pt and create an account.
2. Choose the trail you want to walk and the date.
3. Choose your entry time slot. Trails are booked in time slots, so you can't just turn up at any time of day. If your preferred slot is full, pick another time or another day.
4. Pay and confirm. You will receive proof of your booking.
5. Keep the confirmation on your phone (or printed) while walking. The IFCN controls access to the classified trails.

Our advice: book as soon as your plans are fixed, especially for popular trails in spring, summer and around Christmas and New Year, when slots fill quickly. And always check the status of the trail before you go. Madeira's trails can close temporarily after heavy rain, landslides or maintenance works, and the IFCN publishes trail status on its website.

What changes if you walk with a guide

This is the question we hear most often. In short: walking with a local operator makes the new system easier, not harder.

• Lower fee. Visitors accompanied by operators that have a protocol with the IFCN pay a reduced rate of €3.00 instead of €4.50.
• No booking stress. A walking company plans its schedule around the slots, so you don't have to work out which time to choose or worry about missing your entry time while driving across the island.
• Transport is solved. Many of Madeira's best walks are linear: they start in one place and end in another, sometimes far apart. On a guided walk with transport included, that is not a problem. On your own, you need two cars, a taxi or a very long return walk.
• The right walk on the right day. Madeira's weather changes quickly between the north and south of the island, and between the coast and the mountains. A local guide can tell you where the sun is likely to be, and which trails are open.

When you book a guided walk, simply ask whether the trail fee and booking are included in the price, so you know exactly what is covered.

Which walks are classified?

Not every levada or path on the island is a classified PR trail. The rules apply to the official classified routes. Some of the most popular include:

• PR1 Vereda do Areeiro: the spectacular peaks walk between Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo, Madeira's highest point.
• PR6 Levada das 25 Fontes and the Levada do Risco in Rabaçal: lakes, waterfalls and Laurisilva forest in the west of the island.
• PR9 Levada do Caldeirão Verde: a classic full-day walk from Queimadas, near Santana, with tunnels and a waterfall at the end.
• PR18 Levada do Rei: a gentler walk through native forest to Ribeiro Bonito, on the north side of the island.

If a walk is on the official list, it needs a booking. If you are not sure, check the IFCN list of classified trails or ask your guide.

Tips for planning your walks in 2026

1. Plan your must-do walks first. Decide which two or three trails matter most to you, and book those as early as possible.
2. Be flexible about times. Early slots on popular trails are often quieter, and the light in the mountains is usually at its best in the morning.
3. Have a plan B. If the weather turns or a trail closes, having an alternative walk in mind (often on the other side of the island) will save your day.
4. Pack properly. Good walking shoes, layers, a rain jacket, water and a torch for the tunnels on trails such as Caldeirão Verde and 25 Fontes.
5. Respect the trail. Stay on the path, take your rubbish home and don't attempt more than you are capable of. Some routes involve narrow paths, drops and tunnels.

Walk Madeira with Nature Meetings

We have been guiding walkers in Madeira for many years. All our guided walks include transport from Funchal and the main hotels, small groups and English-speaking guides, with half-day walks of up to 2 hours 30 minutes and full-day walks of up to 4 hours 30 minutes of walking.

Popular choices include the Rabaçal Lakes & Fountains walk, the Peaks Walk from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo and the Enchanting Santana walk to Caldeirão Verde. Before you go, read our walking safety tips, and if you have questions about the new rules, get in touch.