Madeira Hiking Fees: How to Book Trails & Rules

Simplifica Madeira

We keep returning to the island year after year to explore its incredible landscapes, from the moody laurel forests to the endless levada trails. To protect this fragile nature and prevent overcrowding, Madeira has rolled out some hiking fees and other changes:

• A reservation for the PR-trails will now be mandatory. 
• Reservations are made for 30-minute arrival slots on the SIMplifica portal.
• Routes that already asked a fee of 3 EUR will now cost 4.50 EUR.
• The most popular PR trail, Pico do Arieiro, will have higher fees.

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Madeira PR Hikes

The most important thing to know is that it’s now required to make an advance reservation to enter any of the official PR hikes on Madeira. That includes all of them, like PR6 25 Fontes, Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8), to the famed PR1 from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo.

You’ll have to select a 30-minute arrival window, with slots available from sunrise to sunset. A reservation is mandatory for everyone, even residents (they go for free, though). Hikers without a digital ticket will be issued a hefty fine. 

We feel that this 30-minute window is too short and significantly limits the flexibility to go for a nice hike. Hopefully, this time window will be extended in the future.

Madeira Hiking Fees

So, how much does it cost? The new madeira hiking fees are pretty straightforward, though there are a few exceptions based on age and trail. Here’s what to expect:

• Standard PR Trails: 4.50 EUR per person, per trail.
• PR1 Pico do Arieiro – Pico Ruivo: Because of its popularity and extensive trail work, this iconic route costs 10.50 EUR per person for individual hikers.
• Guided Tours: If you go with a certified tour company, you get a reduced rate! It drops to 3 EUR for standard trails and 7 EUR for PR1. They’ll also arrange your tickets.
• Exemptions: Residents and young children (under 12 years old) don’t have to pay, but still need a booked time slot to enter the trail.

Multi-Day Passes

If you plan to hike every day, the SIMplifica Madeira portal also offers multi-day passes. Here is how they are priced:

• Single Trail Ticket: 4.50 EUR
• 1-Day Pass: 9 EUR (Great if you are doing multiple PR trails in a single day).
• 3-Day Pass: 22.50 EUR
• 7-Day Pass: 52.50 EUR
• Note: Multi-day passes don’t cover the PR1 hike! 

Tip: Unless you are hiking multiple PR trails every single day, we recommend just paying the 4.50 EUR for single tickets as you go.

How to Book Your Madeira Hike

Here’s a step-by-step to get your tickets for your hikes.

1. Head to the portal: Reservations are made online through the SIMplifica Madeira platform. 
2. Choose the PR route you want to reserve, then select the date and time.
3. Fill in your details: email and number of people joining.
4. You’ll then have the option to add another reservation for another trail – handy if you know what trails you want to do on which day.
5. Pay the required fee via credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or MB Way.
6. Get your QR code/digital ticket via email.

Top Tips for Madeira’s Hiking System

• Screenshot your QR code. Data service in Madeira’s mountains can be spotty. Don’t expect the portal to load at the trailhead, so save your code to your phone before leaving your hotel. We usually use offline Google Maps for the same reason. ☺️
• Want to visit for sunrise? Time slots don’t always align perfectly with the exact minute of sunrise. We’d buy the earliest available morning ticket to see it!
• Go with a guide if dealing with the reservations seems too complicated for you. Certified tours handle the booking for you, you get a discounted fee, and guaranteed entry without the stress. 
• Remember, it’s for a good cause. Extra admin is annoying, but this system makes sure the trails are properly maintained and monitored. The funds from your tickets directly pay for trail upkeep, safety measures, and nature wardens.