Madeira's Iconic PR1 Hiking Trail Reopens This Month After Two-Year Closure Following 2024 Wildfire

The PR1 Vereda do Areeiro, one of the most famous hiking trails in the Atlantic, is reopening in April after nearly two years of closure and extensive restoration work following the 2024 wildfire that devastated Madeira's central mountain range.

The 7-kilometre trail connects three of the island's highest peaks — Pico do Areeiro (1,818 metres), Pico das Torres, and Pico Ruivo (1,862 metres, the highest point in Madeira) — and is widely considered one of Europe's most spectacular mountain walks. It draws tens of thousands of hikers annually, threading through volcanic rock tunnels, along knife-edge ridgelines, and past sheer drops with views across the island's interior and out to the Atlantic.

What Happened

In the summer of 2024, wildfires swept through Madeira's central highlands, causing significant damage to vegetation, trail infrastructure, and safety barriers along the PR1 route. The regional government closed the trail immediately and launched a restoration programme that has taken the better part of two years to complete.

The works focused on three priorities: rebuilding damaged sections of the path, replacing safety railings and fencing along the most exposed ridgeline stretches, and stabilising slopes where fire had stripped away root systems that held the volcanic soil in place. Environmental teams also carried out reforestation of native laurel forest (laurissilva) along sections of the trail corridor, part of a broader effort to protect the UNESCO-listed Laurissilva of Madeira.

New Access Rules

The reopened trail will operate under new management guidelines. A mandatory access fee has been introduced, with proceeds earmarked for ongoing trail maintenance and environmental conservation. The regional tourism authority, Visit Madeira, has also implemented a booking system to manage visitor numbers and reduce overcrowding on the narrowest sections of the route, where hikers previously had to queue in exposed positions to pass in single file.

Trail capacity will be monitored in real time, and access may be restricted during adverse weather conditions. Madeira's mountain peaks are frequently shrouded in cloud and can experience rapid temperature drops, strong winds, and reduced visibility — conditions that have contributed to several rescue operations in past years.

Timing and Tourism

The reopening coincides with the approach of the Madeira Island Ultra Trail (MIUT), one of Europe's premier trail-running events, which uses portions of the PR1 route. The event is expected to bring several thousand competitors and support staff to the island, adding to the tourism boost.

Madeira has been positioning itself as a year-round outdoor and adventure tourism destination, distinct from the Algarve's beach-focused offering. The island received more than 3.5 million overnight stays in 2025, with hiking and trail running among the fastest-growing activity segments. The PR1 trail, with its combination of accessibility — the Pico do Areeiro trailhead is reachable by car — and dramatic scenery, has been central to that marketing effort.

The trail's closure left a visible gap in Madeira's tourism product for almost two years. Tour operators reported that the PR1's unavailability was one of the most frequently cited disappointments among visiting hikers, many of whom had planned their trips specifically around the route.

What Hikers Should Know

The PR1 is classified as a difficult trail. The full point-to-point route from Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo typically takes between five and seven hours, with significant elevation changes and several sections through unlit tunnels where a headlamp is required. The trail is not recommended in rain or high wind. Hikers should carry water, layered clothing, and check IPMA weather forecasts for Madeira's mountain zone before setting out.

Advance booking through the Visit Madeira platform is expected to be required from the date of reopening. Exact pricing and booking details have not yet been published.