Madeira Trail Fees 2026
Published: 2026-01-15 · Last updated: 2026-01-15
Quick answer
All classified PR trails on Madeira require advance booking via SIMplifica. The booking system has been mandatory since 2025; the current rates — €4.50 per person for standard trails and €10.50 for PR1 — took effect on 1 January 2026. Children under 12 hike free but must be added to the booking. Refunds are only issued when IFCN closes the trail. The full schedule is below.
Trails affected and 2026 fees
| Trail code | Trail name | Fee per person | One-way only? | Booking window |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PR1 | Vereda do Areeiro (Pico do Arieiro → Pico Ruivo) | €10.50 | Yes | 3+ days ahead |
| PR1.2 | Vereda do Pico Ruivo | €4.50 | No | 3+ days ahead |
| PR6 | Levada das 25 Fontes | €4.50 | No | 3+ days ahead |
| PR6.1 | Levada do Alecrim | €4.50 | No | 3+ days ahead |
| PR6.2 | Levada do Risco | €4.50 | No | 3+ days ahead |
| PR8 | Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço | €4.50 | No | 3+ days ahead |
| PR9 | Levada do Caldeirão Verde | €4.50 | No | 3+ days ahead |
| PR10 | Levada do Furado (Ribeiro Frio → Portela) | €4.50 | Yes | 3+ days ahead |
| PR13 | Vereda do Fanal | €4.50 | No | 3+ days ahead |
| PR16 | Levada Fajã do Rodrigues | €4.50 | No | 3+ days ahead |
How to book on SIMplifica
- Go to simplifica.madeira.gov.pt and select the language (PT / EN / DE / FR).
- Pick the trail and the date — the calendar shows real-time availability. Slots are 30-minute arrival windows from sunrise to sunset.
- Choose the number of hikers. The system charges per person at the listed fee. Add children under 12 to the headcount — they are free but must appear on the booking.
- Pay by card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or MB Way. You receive a QR confirmation by email — print it or save it offline.
- On the trail: a ranger may scan the QR at the trailhead. Bring photo ID for any group leader booking. Hikers without a digital ticket can be fined.
Refund and cancellation rules
Refunds and rescheduling are only issued when IFCN officially closes the trail (weather, fire damage, safety). In that case you can submit a refund request through SIMplifica, or reschedule to another date if slots are available — IFCN posts closures on their website and the SIMplifica portal.
Voluntary cancellations are not refunded under the current rules. If you cannot make your slot, contact IFCN or SIMplifica directly (a WhatsApp number is published on the portal) — they sometimes reschedule on a case-by-case basis, but there is no formal voluntary-refund process.
No-shows are not refundable. If a member of your party cannot make the booking, anyone else can use the QR as long as the total number of hikers matches.
One-way vs round-trip
PR1 is officially one-way since its April 2026 reopening — you must hike Pico do Arieiro → Pico Ruivo. Only the short Areeiro–Pedra Rija opening section remains bidirectional. Plan transport (taxi, shuttle, second car) before booking; the QR will not let you re-scan at the start trailhead.
PR10 (Levada do Furado) is a point-to-point trail between Ribeiro Frio and Portela — most hikers walk it one-way and take a taxi or the 53/77 bus back. PR8 (Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço) is also effectively one-way, ending at Casa do Sardinha.
Most other classified trails are round-trip by default — the same QR is valid in both directions on the booked day.
If the trail is closed when you arrive
Check Parque Natural da Madeira's closure feed before you drive — many closures are announced the previous evening for weather reasons. If you arrive at a closed trailhead, your booking is automatically refunded for that day; head to a non-classified levada walk that does not need a booking (see our hub guide for alternatives).
FAQ
Do I need to book every trail on Madeira?
No — only the classified PR trails inside the protected areas. Most levada walks remain free and walk-up.
What if I want to start earlier or later than my booked slot?
Slots are 30-minute arrival windows from sunrise to sunset. Arriving within the window is fine; arriving outside it may be flagged at the ranger station. Slots cannot be transferred to a different date in the app — you would need a date change through IFCN/SIMplifica directly.
Are children charged the full fee?
As of January 2026, children under 12 are free but still must be added to the booking so the headcount is accurate. Bring proof of age if asked.
Does the booking include parking?
No. Most trailheads have free roadside parking and a small number of paid lots (Achada do Teixeira, Areeiro). Parking is not part of the SIMplifica booking.
Can I book a guided tour through SIMplifica?
No, SIMplifica only handles permits. Licensed guides will arrange their own group bookings; if you have signed up with a guide, confirm whether the fee is bundled into their price.
Are dogs allowed on classified trails?
Dogs are allowed on most classified PR trails on a leash, but a handful (notably PR1) prohibit them entirely. The SIMplifica trail page lists the per-trail rule.
What happens if my booking QR fails to scan?
Rangers carry a backup tablet that can look up the booking by name. Bring photo ID. If the booking is valid, you will be waved through; SIMplifica logs the scan failure for follow-up.
Do I need to book for unclassified levadas (Levada dos Tornos, Bom Sucesso, Furado-Norte)?
No. Only the classified PR trails listed above require a booking. Unclassified levadas remain free, unlimited, and unbookable in 2026.
Sources
Official fee schedule: simplifica.madeira.gov.pt. Trail classification register: Parque Natural da Madeira (parquesnaturais.madeira.gov.pt). All field-tested by us in early 2026.