Comments on: ADN-Madeira denounces flaws in the hiking trail reservation system.

By: David Ellis

David Ellis — Thu, 21 May 2026 15:53:22 +0000

In reply to Michael.

I believe numbers have gone up on some walks since the fees came in.

This is because the fees and limits are a form of promotion. If you limit supply of something you generate demand.

I stand by my point of saying that hardly anywhere charges for walking though. It is VERY rare worldwide.

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 21 May 2026 13:30:52 +0000

I agree on some points, like asking for a tourist fee at the airport, or even more simple, just rise the airport taxes. But I am not sure if these taxes go to Madeira.
In my opinion it is outrageous, that the AL owners and hotels have to collect the tourist tax of 2 Euros per day and have to write financas bills for it. The amount, the government pays for our work is not worth charging it.
In question of the hiking pathes, I disagree. Madeira is by far not the only area, where you have to pay entry fees for hiking pathes. It is common in many places and will become more famous if tourism will grow and grow and grow. Let´s wait until the Asian countries and India get more rich and the normal people from there will be able to travel abroad.
And: If anyone is allowed to go anywhere at anytime, the main objective of the pathes fee is counteracted: a regulation of the amount of people on the different areas. Simply have a look at Rabacal or Fanal area. A few years ago, there where no parkings in these two areas. Now there are and they are always overcrowded. Like on Arieiro. I remember that it was possible to drive up and park there at any time. To the UPPER parking.
I again agree, that it is 100% unclear, where all the money, the path fee brings into the state coffers, goes to. I don´t see any improvement on Sao Lourenco so far – since at least 5 years.

By: David Ellis

David Ellis — Thu, 21 May 2026 10:29:03 +0000

The answer is to merely let the economy self-regulate itself. Tourists bring money into the economy of Maderia by spending in local businesses. They don’t need to be charged for things like hiking. There is a reason that hardly anywhere else in the world does it after all!

The irony is that certain popular trails have become even more popular now the tickets are limited.

Of course, the whole thing started when locals started moaning about expensive rescues. It’s mindboggling that the regional government didn’t just stop providing free rescues. Practically all tourists will be travelling with insurance so why was this not done instead of devising this daft trail charge system?