End of freedom on the levadas? Madeira introduces reservations for hiking trails
06/12/2025
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End of spontaneous trips to the mountains? From 2026, Madeira will introduce mandatory reservations and tickets for the most popular trails. This is a way to combat the crowds but also a new challenge for tourists planning hikes on the island of eternal spring.
Spis treści
Madeira – the green jewel of the Atlantic, the land of levadas, cliffs, and pastel de nata. Where mornings smell like coffee and humid laurel forest, and afternoons end with a view of clouds dancing below the peaks. Sounds like paradise? Well, this paradise is introducing... entrance tickets. Seriously.
Starting from 2026, a spontaneous trip to PR1 Vereda to Areeiro or a levada walk at 25 Fontes without a reservation? Forget it. Madeira is undergoing a tourism revolution, and it’s time to start planning not just your flight, but also... each mountain hike.
New rules of the game in paradise
Let’s get to the specifics:
- Want to hit the trail? You must have a reservation – day and time.
- You can make a reservation through simplifica.madeira.gov.pt.
- No reservation? Fine. Starting at 250 euros. I spend about that much for a whole week camping and eating espetada.
- From 2025, there will also be a fee – 3 euros per adult. Children and residents are free.
So, if you’re thinking, “Shall we jump on the levada tomorrow morning?” – only if you have a reserved slot. Otherwise, you might as well just grab an espresso.
Which trails will be affected by the changes?
For now, it’s a bit of guesswork. It’s known that the changes will affect the trails managed by IFCN, which are marked with the PR symbol – and that’s practically all the popular levadas and scenic trails where even Instagram influencers lose their words.
Some sources say: all of them. Others – only the most crowded ones. But since they are building a system, I bet it will eventually cover everything that has more than 10 likes on Google Maps.
Why this change?
Because Madeira, which a decade ago was an escape from mass tourism, today is bursting at the seams. Every day, thousands of feet tread the same paths, and the humid microclimate doesn’t help the ground recover. Levadas are collapsing, vegetation is dying, and paths are turning into muddy gutter.
The new system aims to protect nature. And okay – as someone who has traversed the island on a motorcycle and then switched to hiking boots – I respect that. But as a tourist... I do miss that wild spontaneity a bit.
Voices from both sides
- For the changes: Greater control. Fewer crowds. More silence and birdsong instead of selfie sticks.
- Against: It’s hard to plan ahead, especially since the weather in Madeira is a game of roulette. Sun in the morning, fog at noon, rain and a rainbow in the evening.
Tips for travelers to Madeira
If you’re heading to Madeira in 2025 or later:
- Book trails in advance – especially the iconic ones: PR1, PR6, PR9.
- Check the weather – and have a plan B for another trail (maybe a lower one).
- Download tickets offline – coverage on trails can be spotty.
- Start early – not only for better light for photos but also to avoid larger crowds.
Summary
Starting in early 2026, Madeira will introduce a mandatory reservation system for many popular hiking trails, including the famous levadas. Tourists will have to reserve the day and time of entry in advance – no reservation could result in a fine of at least 250 euros. From January 2025, all trails managed by IFCN will require tickets – 3 euros per adult, children and island residents enter for free.
These changes are a response to increasing crowds and nature degradation. While the new system will improve safety and environmental protection, it also raises controversies – mainly due to the limitation of flexibility and difficulties in planning hikes with unpredictable weather. One thing is for sure – spontaneous hikes in Madeira are becoming a thing of the past.
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