In 2024, the Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation (IFCN) of Madeira collected 351 thousand euros from fees charged for walking on the classified pedestrian routes. They further add that there were 24 accidents last year (one fatality and twenty-three injuries).
In the first quarter of this year, the Forest Police Corps, an agency under the IFCN, recorded four accidents on classified routes, which resulted in three injuries and one fatality; a young german man, who jumped over a barrier to take a photo and fell more than 200 m to his death in the Pico do Areeiro area.
The fee of three euros was initially applied only to seven trails, but since the 1st of January, it has covered all 38 recommended routes in the archipelago of Madeira, the most sought after being Ponta de São Lourenço, Pico do Areeiro, Balcões, and Pico Ruivo.
The so-called ‘waste tax’ is charged to all tourists over 12 years of age. Residents living within the autonomous region are exempt from payment.
Payment can be made through the ‘Simplifica’ platform, managed by the Regional Government, or directly at IFCN posts.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
