Following the report published this morning by DIÁRIO, showing tourists climbing over the gate at Pedra Rija on the PR1 – Vereda do Areeiro trail, the Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation (IFCN) has issued a clarification regarding access procedures and timeline surrounding the opening of the route.
In a statement, the IFCN stressed that the official PR1 route between Pico do Areeiro and Pico Ruivo begins at Pico do Areeiro, and not at Pedra Rija. According to the Institute, the first entry period is between 08:00 and 08.30. The initial 1.2-kilometre section leading to Pedra Rija can typically be completed in about 20 minutes at a normal walking pace.
The IFCN explained that the Madeira Forest Police opened the Pedra Rija gate at 8:10 am, which, it says, allowed sufficient time for hikers who began the trail correctly from Pico do Areeiro to reach the point once access had been opened.
The Institute therefore maintains that bypassing a closed gate, even during the authorised entry period, is unjustifiable, as barriers may be in place for safety or route management reasons. It added that those who climbed the gate before the arrival of the forest guard were acting illegally and are now being identified by the Forest Police.
The IFCN also revealed that around 170 notices have already been issued for access to closed walking routes, with roughly 100 linked to PR1 alone, including six during the past week. In addition, a report has been submitted to the Public Prosecutor’s Office concerning damage caused to the Pedra Rija gate, which may constitute a criminal offence against property.
The controversy follows events on the morning of Friday, the 22nd of May, when the popular trail between Pico do Areeiro and Pico Ruivo saw large crowds gathering before the scheduled opening time. Around 300 people were reportedly waiting at the access gate, which remained closed after 8:00 am. Growing impatient, several tourists allegedly passed their backpacks over the barrier before climbing and jumping over it themselves.
Witnesses said no staff member was present at the time, with the guard responsible for opening the gate only arriving at approximately 08:15, fifteen minutes later than expected. By then, several hikers had already continued along the trail.
According to local accounts, this is not an isolated incident. Similar situations are said to occur regularly, particularly as some walkers begin the route as early as 07:30.
When the forest guard eventually arrived, he was reportedly greeted with applause from the waiting crowd, in what appeared to be a mixture of frustration and irony. Those who had already crossed the gate had continued on their way and could no longer be stopped.
People familiar with the route management say organised groups accompanied by certified local guides generally comply with regulations, as guides ensure clients respect access rules. Independent hikers, however, many of them foreign tourists, are far harder to monitor, making enforcement more difficult.
The incident has reignited debate over whether opening hours at controlled access points should be brought forward or whether additional staff should be deployed during peak periods, especially in the busy tourist season when Madeira’s walking trails attract thousands of visitors every week.
The Pico do Areeiro – Pico Ruivo trail, stretching approximately 12 kilometres and renowned for its dramatic mountain scenery, remains one of Madeira’s most visited and iconic hiking routes.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
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