Hiking on Madeira: why the Instagram hotspots are no longer enough
Now that the classified hiking trails have to be booked in advance, a pretty photo is no longer a travel plan. As hosts who have been hiking here ourselves for years, we’ll show you what has changed — and what Madeira has to offer beyond its three most famous trails.
Since 1 January, the officially classified hiking trails (PR trails) on Madeira require an advance booking. That’s why many of our guests arrive feeling unsure — they were looking forward to a trail they’d seen on Instagram, only to find it’s fully booked, overcrowded, or completely different from what they expected.
What are PR trails? “PR” stands for Percurso Recomendado, meaning “recommended route”. That’s the name for the hiking trails on Madeira that are officially classified, waymarked and numbered by the regional government — from PR1 (Pico do Areeiro–Pico Ruivo) to the many levada walks. The booking requirement only applies to these PR trails, more on that below.
The problem with the Instagram hotspots
Almost everyone who searches for “hiking Madeira” first lands on the same three or four pictures: the narrow ridge to Pico Ruivo, the turquoise pools of 25 Fontes, the coastal trail to Ponta de São Lourenço. Beautiful — no question. But these are exactly the trails that are now the most regulated, the fastest to sell out and the most crowded in high season.
If you rely only on this handful of trails, you won’t get the Madeira that really makes the island special — you’ll get an overcrowded backdrop.
Madeira is more than three trails
The island has well over 40 classified hiking trails, plus countless lesser-known paths outside the official network. As locals who have been hiking here for years, we can tell you: there are three things no Instagram post will reveal.
First: there are simply far more trails than the three or four famous postcard routes. Quieter levada paths and coastal trails that are just as beautiful, but that hardly anyone knows.
Second: even the famous trails can sometimes be walked at quieter times. If you know when the day-trippers are out, you can experience the same path almost deserted.
I saw this very clearly again recently: a guest was disappointed because he hadn’t managed to get a slot for PR1 and the best-known hikes were already fully booked. I suggested a few great alternatives and recommended a hike that hardly anyone knows.
That afternoon he messaged me, a bit unsure: he had asked an AI which trail I might have meant — and it told him the trail didn’t exist and he should double-check with his host. I had to smile: the trail exists, hardly anyone knows it — and the AI only knows what everyone knows.
That’s exactly the pattern we see here all the time: every guest arrives with certain pictures in their head that they’ve seen on Instagram or Google. And that’s exactly where they want to go — even if a dozen other people have the same photo in mind.
Third – and it’s important to us to be honest about this: I remember these trails from the days when I was almost alone on them — instead of chatter in front of and behind me, I could hear the birds singing. Today I wouldn’t walk the classic PR trails myself any more; they’re simply too busy. That’s part of the truth — and one of the reasons we show our guests other, lesser-known alternatives too.
Which of these applies to you, which time slots are worth it and which trails really are always busy — we share that personally with our guests in the guest guide and over breakfast.
Want to go even deeper? We regularly plan small hiking weeks with a maximum of 7 participants, where we personally guide you along our favourite routes. One such week is currently being planned — just message us if you’re interested.
Ask us about the dates →Want to see more trails like these?
These photos were taken on one of our favourite coastal hikes — not what shows up on the first three pages of Google, but exactly the kind of trail we love to share with our guests.
Booking a trail: what you need to know
Since January, all classified hiking trails (PR) require an advance online booking via the regional government’s official platform SIMplifica. The rule applies to everyone: whether you’re alone, in a group or with a guide, and also to children. You don’t need to create an account — you book directly online with a date and a fixed time slot.
The fee is usually around €4.50 per person; for the particularly popular PR1 (Pico do Areeiro–Pico Ruivo) it has been higher since April. If you’re caught without a valid booking, you can expect a fine. Residents of the Madeira region are exempt from booking and paying — holidaymakers are not.
Key facts at a glance:
- Book exclusively via SIMplifica, in advance
- Applies to all classified PR trails, not just a few
- Checks take place directly on the trail
- Pay in advance — mobile reception in the mountains is often poor
Frequently asked questions
Do I really have to book every hiking trail on Madeira?
No, only the officially classified PR trails. Many other beautiful routes are currently not affected.
How much does a trail booking cost?
Usually about €4.50 per person; for very popular trails such as PR1 it can be more.
Can I still book at short notice?
Sometimes, if time slots are available — but especially in high season, popular trails are often fully booked days in advance.
What happens if I’m caught without a booking?
You risk a fine and may be asked to leave the trail.
Are there good alternatives to the overcrowded hotspots?
Yes, definitely — as local hosts we love showing our guests trails that are quieter and just as rewarding.
Our tip for your stay
If you’re staying with us at Casa das Flores, take a few minutes on the day you arrive for a quick chat with us. We’ll tell you which bookings are worth making for your planned days, where you don’t need one — and show you our personal favourites away from the crowded paths.
By the way: Madeira is wonderful for hiking in winter, too. Why the Advent season here is so special, I explain in my article on Christmas on Madeira. And for a day without hiking boots: we tested whether the hop-on hop-off bus in Funchal is worth it.