How to pay for Madeira's trails in 2026: the complete guide

Since 1 January 2026, walking most of Madeira’s official trails means two things: a reserved time slot and a paid ticket — for visitors and residents alike. The only place to buy is the government SIMplifica portal, and the booking flow is entirely in Portuguese. This guide walks you through the whole thing in English, then covers prices, multi-day passes and the special rules for PR1.

Booking, step by step

1. Create a SIMplifica account

   Visit simplifica.madeira.gov.pt and click “Entrar” (Login) in the top-right corner.

   

   Select “Registar” (Register) and choose “Pessoa Singular” (Individual).

   

   Fill out the form with your name, email and a strong password. Tick the mandatory consent box and click “Seguinte” (Next).

   

2. Verify your email

   Check your inbox for a verification code.

   

   Enter the code on the portal to confirm your registration.

   

   Complete your profile consent (field “H” is mandatory) and click “Guardar” (Save).

   

3. Open the trail booking service

   After logging in, click “Início” (Home) in the bottom-left corner.

   

   Select “Bilhética” (Ticketing). Alternatively, under “Serviços em destaque” (Featured Services) choose “Pagamento de Taxas para…” (trail access fees).

   

   Scroll to the bottom and click “Ver disponibilidade” (View availability).

   

   Then expand “Reserva > Percursos Pedestres” (Reservation > Pedestrian Routes).

   

4. Choose a trail and time slot

   Pick your trail from the list, then a date and an available slot — blue = available, red = unavailable, navy = your selection.

   

   Click “Confirmar”, confirm the email for ticket delivery, accept the personal-liability agreement, and set NIF (tax number) to NO.

   

5. Add participants

   Under “Não residentes” (Non-residents) set the headcount: “Visitante >12” (visitors over 12), “Visitante ≤12” (12 and under — free) and “Pessoas com grau…” (people with over 60% disability — free). Review your reservation before continuing.

   

6. Complete payment

   Click “Seguinte” and choose your payment method — credit or debit card (Mastercard, Visa).

   

   Enter your card details and follow your bank’s prompts (for example, app confirmation). You may get an iDOK email notification — if so, click its link to finish paying. Your tickets then arrive by email and stay in your SIMplifica account; save them to your phone or print them.

   

Prices

PR1: what’s different

On the day

Frequently asked questions

Must children be booked in too?

Yes — every visitor counts toward the trail’s capacity, so each person must appear on the reservation under the correct category (for example, “Visitante ≤12”). Kids aged 12 and under walk free of charge, but they still need to be registered.

What does a time slot mean?

It’s the booked window during which you’re allowed to start the trail. Only one slot per trail per day can be reserved. Slots exist to spread visitors out and stop the paths from getting too crowded.

What happens if I miss my slot?

If room is still available you can try to enter on the next open slot, but rangers are entitled to turn you away. Showing up early is always the safer bet — leave a margin for traffic or trouble finding parking.

What if I skip booking in advance?

You may find there’s no space left for that date. Ticket inspections are compulsory, and being caught without one can cost up to €250. Reserve early — above all for in-demand routes such as PR1.

Where do I get tickets?

The one official channel is the SIMplifica portal: simplifica.madeira.gov.pt. Avoid buying from any unauthorised resellers.

Is a printed ticket necessary?

You don’t have to print it, though it’s a good idea. Phone signal is often weak up in the mountains, so rangers will also accept a screenshot of the ticket PDF saved in your phone’s gallery.

Why did an iDOK email arrive?

It’s an automated payment notice. Already paid? Then you can simply disregard it. If your payment is still pending, follow the link inside the email to finish the transaction.

Where do I get technical support?

If the SIMplifica portal gives you trouble, check the official help page at simplifica.madeira.gov.pt/help, or call IFCN on (+351) 291 145 590.

How early should I book busy trails?

Sought-after routes such as PR1 (Areeiro) fill up weeks beforehand. Aim to reserve 2–3 weeks ahead during the busy April–October stretch, and set up your account early so booking day goes faster.

Is cancelling or rescheduling allowed?

Under the rules currently in force, changing or cancelling is only possible when the authorities have officially closed the trail. Cancelling for any other reason means losing the fee you paid.