Forestry Police Inspected 5,500 Trail Users During April Operations
Authorities in Madeira inspected around 5,500 users of classified pedestrian trails since the beginning of April as part of a regional operation focused on access fees and trail regulations.
According to the Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation, known as IFCN, inspectors detected 43 cases where visitors had not paid the mandatory access fee for official walking routes. Those users were fined 50 euros and paid the amount during the inspection process.
Manuel Filipe, president of the IFCN, said the controls were expanded after an earlier awareness campaign at the start of the year.
Seven Illegal Entries on Closed Trails Led to €250 Fines
The IFCN also reported seven infractions involving illegal entry onto closed walking routes since the beginning of 2026. The cases involved eight people.
Authorities applied fines of 250 euros in those situations, according to Manuel Filipe.
The inspections are carried out randomly along the trails by forestry police officers and environmental wardens. Officials said the controls now take place inside the routes themselves, not only at trail entrances.
Arieiro and 25 Fontes Routes Were Main Inspection Targets
Among the most inspected trails were:
Vereda do Areeiro
Levada das 25 Fontes
the Caminho do Pináculo e Folhadal
Caminho Real da Encumeada.
The regional government introduced trail access fees as part of wider efforts to manage visitor numbers and maintain natural areas that receive large numbers of tourists each year.
The inspections come as Madeira continues to face debate over pressure from tourism on protected landscapes.
Tourism Minister Rejects Claims of Damage in Fanal Forest
At the same event, Eduardo Jesus, Madeira’s regional secretary for tourism and environment, rejected criticism that the protected forest area of Fanal Forest is being damaged by visitor numbers.
Without a doubt, the Fanal does not show any state of degradation corresponding to the successive malicious campaigns that have been carried out.
Eduardo Jesus, RTP Madeira
His comments were made during a ceremony celebrating 10 years of the IFCN.
Source: RTP Madeira
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