Madeira’s scenery is unmatched, and with dramatic peaks, lush forests and sparkling waterfalls, no wonder its hiking routes are one of the biggest draws for tourists.
However, a fee, which currently applies to the archipelago’s seven most popular trails (Pico do Areeiro, Pico Ruivo, Levada do Risco, Levada do Caldeirão Verde, Balcões, Levada do Rei and Ponta de São Lourenço), will be expanded to at least 30 of the routes managed by the Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation.
It will only apply to non-residents over the age of 12, and will be €3 – which is hardly a lot – but those caught without having paid could be charged up to €50, which is a lot. Hikers will be able to pay either by the regional government portal Simplifica, or with on-site payment options.
So, why is this happening? Well, the fact sustainable tourism has something to do with it probably won’t shock anyone – more specifically, the money will be put towards conservation efforts such as trail maintenance and cleaning of the paths.
Sure, it would be nice to hike in Madeira for free, but just take a look at our ten favourite trials – they deserve some TLC.
More on travelling to Madeira
Heading to this jaw-dropping archipelago? We’ve got everything you need to know about the best time of year to visit, the best places to watch the sunrise, and nine things to be aware of before you travel on our Madeira hub page.
This isn’t the first initiative from the Portuguese island to strike a balance between tourism and sustainability – read our feature on how Madeira is leading the way in eco-tourism.
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