New Measures on Overtourism

The regional government has been making a lot of news lately with various announcements regarding better management of tourist numbers in some of the more problematic hotspots using a combination of carrots and sticks. 

In addition to the new shuttle to Pico do Areeiro, nine "new" recommended walking routes will be added to the present list in the hope of dispersing visitors more widely. The eastern alternative route on the Pico-to-Pico trail - which was severely damaged over 10 years ago - will also be restored.

However, there will also be more use of charging both as a means of controlling numbers as well as helping to meet the increasing cost of maintaining the various trails - and particularly dealing with the growing amounts of litter. There will be modest charges to use the trails at Pico do Areeiro, at Rabaçal and at Balcões - as well as the current charge at Ponta de São Lourenço. Parking charges will be introduced at Pico do Areeiro and at Queimadas from where the Levada do Caldeirão Verde can be reached.

Charges will be phased in as legislation is passed and the necessary equipment is installed, but the intention is that most of the charges should be in place for 2025.