Since January 1, 2026, access to the official (PR) trails managed by the IFCN, Madeira's Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation, has been paid for by non-residents and requires booking a time slot. The Madeira Crossing links around fifteen PR trails: this is the first thing to sort out.
Prices
They are set by Portaria n.º 801/2025, as amended by Portaria n.º 48/2026 of February 13, 2026. Per person, for an individual hiker over 12:
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| One PR trail (except the PR1) | €4.50 |
| Full PR1, Pico do Areeiro – Pico Ruivo (PR1.1, PR1.2 and PR1.3 included) | €10.50 |
| PR1 to the Miradouro da Pedra Rija, out and back | €4.50 |
| Day rate, two or more PR trails (excluding the PR1) | €9.00 |
| 3-day rate, two or more PR trails (excluding the PR1) | €22.50 |
| 7-day rate, two or more PR trails (excluding the PR1) | €52.50 |
| Night in a designated camping zone | €5.00 / tent |
Children aged 12 and under and Madeira residents are exempt, but must still register. The €3 rate you sometimes see quoted applies to operators with an agreement with the IFCN, not to individual hikers.
The flat rates are not passes: you must book each PR trail, and the portal automatically applies the cheapest rate. For a six-day crossing, allow about €35 to €45 in trail fees and €25 for camping (our estimate, if all the PR trails are open).
Booking on SIMplifica
- Booking is online only, on the regional government's SIMplifica portal; nothing is sold at the trailheads.
- The day is divided into 30-minute entry time slots, from sunrise to sunset, with a tolerance of about 15 minutes (a little more if you link several PR trails).
- You can book the day before or on the day itself if places remain. The maximum booking window (often said to be 90 days) is not officially published: check on the portal.
- For the full PR1, entry is at Pico do Areeiro; the IFCN does not arrange the return trip.
Cancellation and refunds
A refund is only possible if the trail is officially closed on the booked date, on request to the IFCN within 10 working days. Rain, illness or a canceled flight give no right to a refund.
The camping permit
Sleeping in a tent is only allowed in the IFCN's designated camping zones, with a permit obtained on SIMplifica (€5 per tent per night for non-residents). Keep it on you: the forest police may ask to see it. See our camping guide.
Fines
Not paying the fee or entering a closed trail is an offense (Decreto Legislativo Regional 24/2022/M): from €250 to €2,500 for an individual, up to €10,000 for a company.
Other guides
- Madeira trail closures: is the Madeira Crossing open?
- Is the Madeira Crossing an official “GR1”?
- Camping in Madeira: camping zones, permits and rules
- Buses and taxis for the Madeira Crossing
- When to walk the Madeira Crossing? Climate and seasons
- Safety, water and rescue on the Madeira Crossing
- Packing list for the Madeira Crossing
- Madeira Crossing budget: how much does it cost?