Simplifica Madeira: How to Book a Hiking Permit

Madeira's most popular hikes are protected trails. To hike one you need a permit for a set date and time slot, issued by the government (IFCN) through its booking site, Simplifica. There are two ways to get it: let Madeira Fun reserve it for you, or book it yourself on Simplifica. This page walks you through both.

The Quick Way: Book With Madeira Fun

1. Pick a trail, date and time slot. You see live availability for all 33 permit trails in one place.
2. Enter your party and the email for your permit, and switch on Verified Permit if you want it.
3. We reserve the slot on the government site, usually within a minute.
4. Pay the government permit fee with the PayPay link we email you, before the deadline. We send a reminder an hour before it runs out.

Check availability & reserve a permit

100% of the permit fee goes to the government of Madeira via Simplifica. Madeira Fun collects no fees on behalf of the government, and only the government issues the permit.

What a Verified Permit Gives You

• The government sends your permit to Madeira Fun instead of your inbox, and we check it against your booking.
• We email you once it is verified and keep the QR code hidden until you Reveal it in My Passes.
• Choosing Verified costs nothing extra.
• We delete the stored permit 30 days after your hike, so save it or add it to your Wallet when you reveal it.

Book on Simplifica Yourself, Step by Step

Prefer to book directly with the government? Simplifica has an English option (the flag at the top right), but trail names are translated word for word, so find your trail by its PR number.

1. Open the service "Pagamento de Taxas para acesso aos Percursos Pedestres Classificados" (Payment of Fees for Access to Classified Hiking Trails) on simplifica.madeira.gov.pt and tap "Solicitar" (Request). No account is needed.
2. On the first screen, "Quantidade de bilhetes a adquirir" (Number of Tickets to Purchase), enter your email, answer No to the tax invoice (NIF) question unless you need one, and tick the responsibility statement and the no-refund statement. Use an email you can read: Apple Hide My Email addresses do not receive the government's emails.
3. On the same screen, enter how many people are going. Visitors over 12 pay. Children 12 and under, people with a disability of more than 60% and Madeira residents are free, but still count.
4. Choose the trail, the date and a time slot.
5. When asked whether you want another reservation, answer No, or add your next trail.
6. The last screen, "Pagamento geral", shows the amount and a PayPay payment link, which Simplifica also emails you. Pay by the deadline: 24 hours after booking, sooner for a hike the same day. Miss it and the reservation lapses.
7. After you pay, Simplifica emails your permit and receipt. Carry the permit on the trail.

Which trails need a permit, and what they cost

• PR1 Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo, the iconic peak-to-peak trail. One-way permit 10.50 EUR.
• PR9 Caldeirao Verde, a levada walk to a waterfall through Laurisilva forest. 4.50 EUR.
• PR8 Ponta de Sao Lourenco, the dramatic volcanic eastern peninsula. 4.50 EUR.
• PR6 Levada das 25 Fontes, the famous 25 springs at Rabacal. 4.50 EUR.
• PR11 Vereda dos Balcoes, a short, easy levada walk to a viewpoint. 4.50 EUR.
• Plus PR1.2, PR10, PR13 and other protected trails, 4.50 EUR per non-resident visitor.

How the permit fee and payment work

• Only non-resident visitors pay. Madeira residents, children aged 12 and under, and visitors with a disability of 60% or more are exempt from the fee but still need a reservation.
• The government payment link is time-limited (often only a few hours for same-day slots). Pay promptly or the slot is released.
• Permit fees are non-refundable and reservations cannot be rescheduled (Portaria 801/2025, amended by 48/2026), except when IFCN cancels the activity.
• After payment the government emails your official permit voucher and receipt. Carry it on the trail.

Frequently asked questions

What is Simplifica in Madeira?

Simplifica (simplifica.madeira.gov.pt) is the Madeira regional government online portal. Hiking permits are issued through it by IFCN, the Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation. To hike a protected trail legally you reserve a dated time slot on Simplifica and pay the permit fee.

Is Simplifica available in English?

Partly. Simplifica has an English option, but trail names and some steps are translated word for word, which confuses many visitors. Madeira Fun lets you book the same government permit in your own language, and the steps above explain each Simplifica screen if you prefer to do it yourself.

Which Madeira trails need a hiking permit?

Protected PR trails require a permit, including PR1 Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo, PR1.2 Vereda do Pico Ruivo, PR6 Levada das 25 Fontes, PR8 Ponta de Sao Lourenco, PR9 Caldeirao Verde, PR11 Vereda dos Balcoes and more.

How much does a Madeira hiking permit cost?

Most trails cost 4.50 EUR per non-resident visitor. PR1 Full (One Way), Vereda do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo, costs 10.50 EUR; PR1 Short, to Miradouro Pedra Rija, costs 4.50 EUR. Madeira residents, children aged 12 and under, and visitors with a disability of 60% or more are exempt from the fee but still need a reservation.

How do I book a Madeira hiking permit?

The quickest way is Madeira Fun: pick a trail, date and time slot and we reserve it on the government system, usually within a minute; you then pay the permit fee to the government with the PayPay link we email you. You can also book directly on Simplifica; the step-by-step section above shows how.

How far in advance should I book?

Popular trails such as Pico do Arieiro and Ponta de Sao Lourenco sell out days ahead in peak season (April to October). Reserve as early as you can.

Is a Verified Permit free?

Yes. Choosing Verified costs nothing extra. The government sends your permit to Madeira Fun, we check it against your booking and keep the QR code hidden until you reveal it in My Passes.

What happens if I miss the payment deadline?

The reservation lapses and the slot goes back on sale. If it is still open, you can book it again. When you book with Madeira Fun, we send a reminder an hour before the deadline.

Do I need a Simplifica account?

No. You can book on Simplifica as a guest with an email address. Booking through Madeira Fun needs only a Madeira Fun sign-in.

Open the live availability calendar · Read the full permits FAQ

or visit the official Simplifica portal yourself