Madeira to Raise Hiking Fees for Tourists Beginning in 2025

Madeira to Raise Hiking Fees for Tourists Beginning in 2025

Key Takeaways

1. Tourists will be required to pay a fee to hike on Madeira's trails.  
2. Currently, a €3 fee applies to seven popular routes in the region.  
3. From January 1, 2025, this fee will be expanded to cover 30 hiking routes in Madeira.  

Beginning January 1, 2025, visitors to Madeira will be required to pay a fee to hike any of the island's 30 designated routes. Currently, a €3 tax is charged for seven of the most popular hiking trails, but this fee will extend to all 30 trails managed by the Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation.

The new fee system is designed to support the preservation of Madeira's natural beauty. Starting October 28, 2024, the fee will be implemented on seven of the island’s top trails. From the beginning of 2025, all recommended (PR) routes will require payment.  

Tourists aged 12 and older will need to pay €3 to hike these trails, and anyone caught violating the fee requirement will face a €50 penalty.

Current Trails with the Fee

As of October 25, the €3 fee applies to the following seven routes:  

  • Vereda do Areeiro (PR1): A hike between Pico do Areeiro and Pico Ruivo, the highest peak in Madeira.  
  • Vereda do Pico Ruivo (PR1.2): A trail from Achada do Teixeira to Pico Ruivo.  
  • Levada do Risco (PR6.1): A route leading to the Risco waterfall.  
  • Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8): A coastal trail.  
  • Levada do Caldeirão Verde (PR9): A hike from Laurisilva forest to the Caldeirão Verde waterfall.  
  • Vereda dos Balcões (PR11): A short hike with beautiful valley views.  
  • Levada do Rei (PR18): A trail through Madeira’s ancient Laurisilva forest.  

Madeira's unique levadas and veredas make it a top destination for hikers, with thousands of visitors flocking to the island each year.

Revenue from Hiking Fees to Support Sustainable Tourism

The funds generated by the hiking fees will be reinvested into the island’s tourism sector, focusing on sustainability. This initiative aims to protect the island's natural landscapes and improve the overall hiking experience as local authorities work to maintain the trails. This is part of Madeira's broader efforts toward sustainable tourism.

Madeira is not alone in introducing tourist taxes. Other regions in Portugal, including Lisbon and Algarve, have implemented similar fees. For instance, Lisbon now charges €4 per night for accommodation stays, up from €2, effective as of September 1, 2024. In Algarve, the tourist tax is €2 per night during the tourist season (April to October), and €1 per night during the off-season (November to March).

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