Hiking in Madeira has always felt like stepping into another world, but starting January 1, 2026, online reservations to access official hiking trails will be required. If you’ve come across this article in 2026, please take note. Below is a clear guide to what’s changing and how to plan your hikes stress-free in light of these new changes.
The New Reality – Mandatory Trail Reservations in 2026
Madeira’s government has confirmed that, starting in 2026, anyone who wants to walk one of the island’s official hiking routes will need to book a time slot online. This applies to both tour operators and independent visitors. The announcement came during the 25th anniversary of the Laurissilva forest’s recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With this new change, the government aims to protect what makes Madeira special and prevent overcrowding on the island’s most popular trails.
For years, Madeira has handled an increasing number of hikers without exceeding its total daily trail capacity. However, too many people were arriving at the same time, and anyone who has squeezed past a long line of hikers on a levada knows what that looks like – not only congestion but also the potential to fall off the edge of a trail while attempting to pass other hikers.
The reservation system aims to spread hikers more evenly along the trails and avoid unnecessary crowding or packed parking lots.
How the System Will Work
Visitors will book their entry slot through the SIMplifica digital platform. Each time block will have a fixed capacity. If one fills up, you need to choose another time. If there are no times available, you will need to book on a different day or simply choose a different trail.
Tour operators will manage bookings for their clients, and independent hikers should book ahead at least a day in advance. If you show up without a reservation, you will be requested to choose an available time slot.
will soon release an app and updated website that will help visitors choose trails, monitor availability in real time, and understand how the schedule works.
Will You Need to Pay Go Hiking?
No one is being asked to pay to reserve online, but both tourists AND locals will need to get a reservation to hike on the official trails.
Which Trails Will Require Reservations?
The full list hasn’t been released yet, but officials have confirmed that it will include:
• heavily visited levadas
• key routes inside the Laurissilva Forest
• other natural areas where the pressure on the environment is the highest
Expect the most famous routes to be included once the system launches. The IFCN’s new app will publish the official list as January 1, 2026 approaches.
Why Madeira Is Making This Change
Madeira is not the first place to implement online hiking reservations. Many natural sites around the world now require scheduling in advance. Madeira studied trail patterns over time with help from the University of Madeira, and while the overall number of hikers hasn’t become unmanageable, the concentration of visitors during peak hours has.
Instead of closing trails or reducing daily capacity, the government chose a solution that still gives free access to hikers but in a more organized way. In the long run, this makes the experience better for everyone with fewer bottlenecks and more space to enjoy the views instead of watching your footing while squeezing past long lines.
Potential Concerns
Some hikers worry that the reservation system could end up favoring tour operators and leave independent hikers and residents scrambling for leftover slots or feeling pressured to book guided outings they don’t really want.
Madeira’s weather can also shift quickly, and booking a time slot days in advance might remove the flexibility that makes hiking in Madeira so enjoyable in the first place. There is also frustration about how group tours sometimes behave on popular trails. Slower moving lines, crowded viewpoints, and the occasional guide whose clients seem more focused on selfies than respecting the landscape.
There is also concerns about traffic from cruise ships since cruise ship visitors often rush to the most popular viewpoints, leave quickly, and can unintentionally put more strain on the environment. These hikers fear the new system could reward the very behaviors that damage the trails while making it harder for people who genuinely love nature to explore it at their own pace.
If You’re Planning a Madeira Hiking Trip for 2026
Here’s what will help everything run smoothly:
• Book as early as you can especially during summer and national holidays.
• Check the SIMplifica platform or IFCN app before choosing a trail.
• Arrive on time. If you miss your slot, you may need to rebook.
• Pick reliable transportation. Madeira’s mountain roads can be slower than you expect.
• Stick to marked trails and follow any guidance on signposts.
Should You Still Go Hiking in Madeira?
Hiking in Madeira remains one of the most extraordinary outdoor experiences in Europe, and the 2026 reservation system is meant to protect that. It will help organize the crowds and preserve the island’s trails for future generations. Although it’s going to be an extra step, we think, on balance, it will provide a better experience for hikers and the environment they have come to enjoy.
Let us know what you think! Do you agree with the Madeiran government’s decision?
