PR21 - Caminho do Norte

PR21 (Caminho do Norte) permit - frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit to hike PR21 (Caminho do Norte) in Madeira?

Yes. Since December 2025 every classified trail on Madeira and Porto Santo needs a reservation, and PR21 (Caminho do Norte) is one of them. Non-resident visitors pay the permit fee; Madeira residents and other eligible groups are exempt from the fee but still need to register and reserve a time slot.

How much does the PR21 hiking permit cost?

The PR21 (Caminho do Norte) permit is 4.50 EUR per non-resident visitor at the single-trail rate. A day pass or multi-day pass covering two or more trails can lower the per-trail cost. Madeira residents and other eligible groups are exempt from the fee. The permit fee is paid to the Madeira government; the trail itself is free to walk once you hold a valid permit.

How hard is PR21 (Caminho do Norte) and how long does it take?

PR21 (Caminho do Norte) is graded moderate, about 3.2 km, 0 m of ascent. It starts at Encumeada and ends at Ribeira Grande.

What time can I start PR21?

You reserve a specific 30-minute time slot and may not begin before your booked start time. Time slots run through the day, so pick the one that suits your plan.

How do I book a permit for PR21 (Caminho do Norte)?

Check live time-slot availability for PR21 (Caminho do Norte) on madeira.fun/hiking, then reserve on the official IFCN Simplifica portal. madeira.fun tracks availability across the whole calendar and can handle the government reservation for you.

Permit availability for PR21 (Caminho do Norte)

Current observed availability

• Earliest open date: Sat, 19 Sept at 08:00
• Open days in the next 14: 14 of 14
• Current booking pressure: very low (0 out of 10)
• Last checked: 19 Sept, 05:32 (Madeira local time)

Official rule

A paid IFCN permit is required (4.50 EUR per non-resident visitor, single-trail rate; Madeira residents and other eligible groups are exempt from the fee). You reserve a specific 30-minute time slot and may not start before your booked time.

Madeira Fun recommendation

Availability is currently good, so you can usually book close to your planned date.

Check live permit availability · How this is calculated