The scenic walking trails of Madeira, known for their beauty, are no longer a free attraction for visitors to wander; the local government has imposed a €3 fee for use of the trails, exempting local residents. Madeira is a Portuguese archipelago off the coast of Africa.
The fee is in place for seven of the more than 30 trails managed by the Institute of Forestry and Nature Conservation, and will be applied to the rest by January. In addition to locals, visitors under age 12 are exempt from the fee, which can be paid online or directly at IFNC stations.
Rafaela Fernandes, head of Madeira’s Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment, says the funds will be used to clean up and maintain the trails. There will be fines of €50 for anyone found on the trails without proof of payment.
