New rules · In force since 1 Jan 2026
Madeira PR trails: you now have to book
Every classified Pequena Rota (PR) trail in Madeira now requires a paid, timed-slot reservation through the official SIMplifica portal. Here's everything you need to know before you head up Pico do Areeiro, into 25 Fontes or along Caldeirão Verde.
Short answer
From 1 January 2026 every IFCN-classified Pequena Rota (PR) trail in Madeira, including PR1 Areeiro–Ruivo, PR6 25 Fontes, PR9 Caldeirão Verde, PR8 São Lourenço and PR11 Balcões, requires a mandatory pre-booking with a 30-minute entry slot via simplifica.madeira.gov.pt. Non-residents pay €4.50 per trail (€10.50 for the full PR1). Bookings are non-refundable unless IFCN closes the trail, and hiking without a valid reservation is a €50 on-the-spot fine from the Forest Police. Residents and under-12s are free but still register.
Trails that need a booking
IFCN-managed classified PR trails listed on SIMplifica. The portal applies the cheapest applicable rate at checkout, you don't need to pick the multi-day bundle yourself.
Current status: official IFCN notice · checked 13 September 2026, 10:15
| Code | Trail | Price (non-resident) | Direction | Booking | Nearest free alternative |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PR 1 | Vereda do Areeiro: Pico do Areeiro ↔ Pedra Rija (partial, two-way) Only this first ~1.2 km can be walked out and back. | €4.50 | Both directions | Required | Ribeiro Frio village & trout farm |
| PR 1 | Vereda do Areeiro: full Pico do Areeiro → Pico Ruivo (incl. PR 1.1 + PR 1.2) Open daily since 26 Jun 2026. One-way only past Pedra Rija: Areeiro → Ruivo; arrange transport from Achada do Teixeira. No slots reported for 14–17 and 21–22 Sep 2026. | €10.50 | One way (Areeiro → Ruivo) | Required | Parque Ecológico do Funchal trails |
| PR 1.1 | Vereda da Ilha | Included in full PR 1 ticket | One way | Required | Ribeiro Frio village & trout farm |
| PR 1.2 | Vereda do Pico Ruivo | Included in full PR 1 ticket | One way | Required | Ribeiro Frio village & trout farm |
| PR 1.3 | Vereda da Encumeada | – | – | Required | – |
| PR 3 | Vereda do Burro | – | – | Required | – |
| PR 6 | Levada das 25 Fontes | €4.50 | Out and back | Required | Fanal picnic area & til-tree pastures |
| PR 6.1 | Levada do Risco | €4.50 | Out and back | Required | Fanal picnic area & til-tree pastures |
| PR 8 | Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço | €4.50 | Out and back | Required | Pico do Facho viewpoint walk |
| PR 9 | Levada do Caldeirão Verde | €4.50 | Out and back | Required | Vereda do Larano |
| PR 11 | Levada dos Balcões | €4.50 | Out and back | Required | Ribeiro Frio village & trout farm |
| PR 18 | Levada do Rei | €4.50 | Out and back | Required | Vereda do Larano |
Cancellation, rescheduling and fines
The rules that decide whether you get your money back, set out plainly. Availability itself is only ever shown on the official SIMplifica portal, we don't publish slot counts.
| Situation | What happens |
|---|---|
| Bad weather, illness or change of plan | No refund. The ticket is non-refundable for any reason on your side. |
| IFCN closes or restricts the trail | Refund issued, this is the only case the fee is returned. |
| Rescheduling | Request to helpdesk.ifcn@madeira.gov.pt within 10 working days, normally limited to the same trail. |
| Arriving early or late | About 15 minutes either side of your slot is tolerated at the trailhead; walkers booked on consecutive trails get a slightly wider window. |
| No-show or turned back for arriving late | The fee is forfeit and no replacement slot is given. |
| Walking without a valid reservation | €50 on-the-spot fine, enforced by the Forest Police at the trailhead. |
| Residents, under-12s and disabled visitors | Free, but the reservation is still mandatory and proof may be checked. |
| Live slot availability | Shown only on the official SIMplifica portal at the moment of booking. |
Each paid trail above lists its closest free, no-booking substitute. The full list is on our free walks page.
Fees in full
- Single PR trail (non-PR1)
- €4.50 / person
- PR 1, partial (Areeiro ↔ Pedra Rija)
- €4.50 / person
- PR 1, full (Areeiro → Pico Ruivo)
- €10.50 / person
- 1-day combined (2+ trails, excl. PR1)
- €9.00 / person
- 3-day combined (2+ trails)
- €22.50 / person
- 7-day combined (2+ trails)
- €52.50 / person
- Madeira residents
- Free, registration still required
- Children aged 12 or under
- Free, registration still required
- Disabled visitors (≥60%) + 1 guardian
- Free, proof required
- Guided groups (operator with IFCN protocol)
- €3.00 standard · €7.00 full PR1
How the booking works
- 1. Go to simplifica.madeira.gov.pt/services/78-82-259 and create an account.
- 2. Pick the trail, your date and a 30-minute entry slot. Capacity is capped per slot.
- 3. Add every walker (name + age). Children ≤12 and residents are free but must still be added.
- 4. Pay by card. You'll get an email with the ticket and invoice, keep both on your phone for the ranger check at the trailhead.
- 5. Arrive within ~15 minutes of your slot. Late arrivals can be turned back and the fee is forfeit.
SIMplifica platform support (technical issues only): freephone +351 800 29 90 90 · WhatsApp +351 926 155 465 · 800299090@madeira.gov.pt (Mon–Fri 09:00–18:00).
FAQ: Madeira PR trails booking
Is PR1 open, and can I walk it in both directions?
PR1 has been open every day since 26 June 2026, but it is no longer a there-and-back hike. Only the first ~1.2 km between Pico do Areeiro and Miradouro da Pedra Rija is two-way; beyond the Pedra Rija gate the route is one-way, Pico do Areeiro → Pico Ruivo. Every walk starts at Pico do Areeiro (gate opens 08:00) and you exit via PR1.2 to Achada do Teixeira or PR1.1 towards Ilha, so arrange a taxi, shuttle or second car before you book. Local operators report no bookings available on 14–17 and 21–22 September 2026.
Where do I book?
Only online at the official SIMplifica portal: simplifica.madeira.gov.pt/services/78-82-259. There is no walk-up booking at IFCN offices, no phone booking and no third-party platform. Create an account, pick the trail, the date and a 30-minute entry slot, add participants and pay by card.
When did this start and is it really enforced?
A paid access fee was introduced on 1 January 2025. Mandatory timed-slot reservations followed on 1 January 2026 under Portaria 801/2025 (amended by Portaria 48/2026). The system is live and enforced by the Forest Police, hiking without a valid reservation is a €50 on-the-spot fine.
How far in advance should I book?
Same-day booking is allowed if slots remain, but in summer (Jul–Aug) and at Easter the popular trails, especially PR1, PR6 and PR9, sell out two to three weeks ahead. Book as soon as your hike date is fixed.
Can I cancel or get a refund if the weather is bad?
No. Refunds are only issued when IFCN officially closes or restricts the trail. Bad weather, illness, missed transport or simply changing your mind do not qualify. Reschedule requests must go to helpdesk.ifcn@madeira.gov.pt within 10 working days and are normally limited to the same trail.
Do I still need to book if I'm with a guide?
Yes. Guided groups are not exempt, the operator books on your behalf. Operators with a formal IFCN protocol use a separate system at €3 / person (€7 for full PR1). Operators without a protocol pay the same public rate (€4.50 / €10.50) as individual hikers. Guides themselves do not pay.
Which trails are still free, with no booking?
Non-classified paths, levadas outside the PR system, and classified trails managed by individual municipalities (not by IFCN) are not in the SIMplifica system and remain free. IFCN cannot officially recommend non-classified routes; check with the local câmara municipal before walking them.
What about the early entry tolerance, what if I'm late?
Roughly 15 minutes early or late on your slot is tolerated at the trailhead; hikers booked on consecutive trails get a slightly wider window. Arrive any later and a ranger may turn you back, and you forfeit the fee.
Are Porto Santo trails included?
Madeira regional trails (mainland island) are the system's primary scope. A small number of Porto Santo PRs may be added, check the SIMplifica trail list at the time of booking.
Sources & official links
- SIMplifica: official booking portal
- IFCN: list of classified PR trails
- Visit Madeira: official tourism board
- Portaria nº 801/2025 of 10 December 2025 (fees) · Portaria nº 48/2026 of 13 February 2026 (amendment)
Last reviewed 2026-08-08. Rules and prices change, always cross-check on the SIMplifica portal before booking.