Planning to hike in Madeira? Since January 2026, a new reservation and payment system applies to Madeira's classified walking trails managed by the IFCN.Don't worry — as a visitor, what you need to do is actually quite simple.
Before heading to your trail:
Madeira's trails can temporarily close due to weather conditions, maintenance or safety concerns, so always check the official IFCN website before setting off.
1. Check that the trail is open.
2. Book your trail on SIMplifica.
Reservations for IFCN-managed classified trails are made through the official SIMplifica platform.You'll need to choose your trail and an available entry time. Access is organised into 30-minute time slots to help control the number of people using the trails.
For most visitors, a single classified trail costs €4.50 per person in 2026. Children aged 12 and under are exempt from the fee. Residents of Madeira are also exempt, although registration and reservation are still required. Other exemptions may apply, so check the official information if you're unsure.
Our advice: don't leave the payment until you arrive at the trail.
Mobile internet coverage can be limited in some of Madeira's mountain areas, and having a reservation alone may not be enough if the required payment hasn't been completed.
To avoid arriving at the beginning of your hike and discovering that you can't complete the payment because you have no signal, book and pay online through SIMplifica before setting off.
Don't rely on being able to pay in cash when you arrive. Payments at the trail are not generally something you should count on, so having your booking and payment completed in advance is the safest option.
Once that's done, save your booking confirmation or digital ticket on your phone, preferably somewhere you can access it offline.
One less thing to worry about when you reach the mountains!
PR1 has different prices.
The short section from Pico do Areeiro to Pedra Rija and back costs €4.50.
The full PR1 route from Pico do Areeiro towards Pico Ruivo costs €10.50.
There's also something very important to know before choosing the full route: after Pedra Rija, the trail towards Pico Ruivo is one-way. This means you cannot simply walk back to your car at Pico do Areeiro. You'll need to arrange transport from your finishing point, so plan this before starting the hike.
Yes, you can book close to the date of your hike, provided there is still availability for your chosen trail and time slot.
However, don't rely on last-minute availability for Madeira's most popular hikes. Trails such as PR1 (Pico do Areeiro – Pico Ruivo) and PR6 (Levada das 25 Fontes) are extremely popular, and some time slots can be fully booked a couple of weeks in advance, particularly during busy periods. Other popular trails, such as PR9 (Levada do Caldeirão Verde), can also have limited availability.
If one of these hikes is high on your Madeira wish list, we recommend booking it as soon as you know which day you'd like to go.
For less popular trails, last-minute reservations may be easier to find, but availability is never guaranteed.
Our advice: don't leave your must-do hike until the last minute. Book early, then check the official trail status again before setting off.
If the IFCN closes or restricts access to a trail, you may be able to reschedule your booking or request a refund according to the IFCN's conditions.
That's really all most visitors need to know:
Check the trail → Book your time → Pay the fee → Check the trail status again before leaving.
And remember that Madeira's mountain weather can change quickly. Even with a reservation, always check the official trail status before starting your journey.
Book your trail:
Check trail conditions and closures:
IFCN – Classified Walking Trails
Enjoy the walk and please help us protect the beautiful landscapes you've come to Madeira to experience.
Lisa
