The Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation (IFCN), together with the University of Madeira (UMa), has updated and set the load capacity for all Classified Walking Routes in Madeira, aiming to enhance management and improve the visitor experience, especially at the island’s main tourist spots.
The capacity of each route will now be distributed in 30-minute slots, thus organising the presence of visitors from sunrise to sunset.
The reservation and sale of access will continue to be made through the SIMplifica platform, and prior registration of all visitors is mandatory, regardless of age or condition.
For next year, economic operators (RNAVT and RNAAT) with a protocol signed with the IFCN will maintain the current fee of €3 per person. The system allows a pre-booking up to 30 days before the visit, automatic issuance of the invoice on the 30th day, and payment up to 48 hours before use, under penalty of cancellation.
As for the general public and visitors accompanied by economic operators without a signed protocol, they will have to pay a higher fee of €4.5, with payment made at the time of booking, except for PR1 – Vereda do Areeiro.
Rescheduling or refunds will only be granted in case of closure of places of interest by decision of the IFCN.
The PR1 – Vereda do Areeiro route, closed since August 2024 for improvement and safety works, is scheduled to reopen in April 2026. Until then, the standard rate for the remaining routes applies. After the reopening, the values will be €7 for visitors with operators with a protocol and €10.50 for the general public or operators without a protocol.
Residents in the Region have free access to all Classified Walking Routes, and registration and reservation on the SIMplifica portal are mandatory, in compliance with the load capacity defined for each route.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
