Around Madeira

From today, 23rd August, the IFCN has announced the following walking routes re-open to the public: PR 6 - Levada das 25 Fontes PR 6.1. - Levada do Risco PR 6.2 - Levada do Alecrim PR  6.3 - Vereda da Lagoa do Vento PR 6.4 - Levada Velha do Rabaçal PR 6.5 - Vereda do Pico Fernandes PR 6.6 - Vereda do Túnel do Cavalo PR 6.7 - Vereda da Câmara de carga do Rabaçal PR 6.8 - Levada do Paul II – Um caminho para todos PR 13.1-  Vereda da Palha Carga  However, the following routes remain closed: PR 1 - Vereda do Areeiro PR 1.1 - Vereda da Ilha PR 1.2. - Vereda do Pico Ruivo PR 1.3 - Vereda da Encumeada PR 2 - Vereda do Urzal PR 3 - Vereda do Burro PR 3.1. - Caminho Real do Monte PR 4 - Levada do Barreiro PR 7 - Levada do Moinho PR 9 - Levada do Caldeirão Verde PR 12 - Caminho Real da Encumeada PR 13 - Vereda do Fanal PR 17 - Caminho do Pináculo e Folhadal PR 18 - Levada do Rei PR 20 - Vereda do Jardim do Mar PR 23 - Levada da Azenha PR 27 - Glaciar do Planalto PR 28 - Levada da Rocha Vermelha

Until recently, Madeira's public transport was delivered by various companies, each with their own separate branding, ticketing and websites. This has now been reorganised under the ambit of SIGA - the public transport organistation for Madeira. However, although many buses (and some transport passes) changed on 1st July, the SIGA website (and the mobile app) were missing much of the vital information and it was still necessary to rely on the former websites of the individual operators for timetable and fare information.  Those websites are now starting to disappear. The former EACL website now redirects to SIGA, the homepage of the SAM website still exists, but most of its pages now give 404 errors. The Rodoeste website still seems to be functioning, as is that for Horários do Funchal. Unfortunately, the SIGA website is still sorely lacking in functionality - the "journey planner" doesn't work at all and if you select " Timetables " you have to select

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

30th August, 2024: This service, which was suspended owing to ongoing fires, will resume on 2nd September. However, the majority of the PR1 trail at Pico do Areeiro will remain closed. Following much consternation about the increasing traffic and demand for parking at Pico do Areeiro, a new, scheduled bus service is being launched from 5th August. Horários do Funchal will be operating two return services per day from Funchal and also a shuttle service between Pico do Areeiro and the Caminho Florestal das Serras de Santo António. Summer departures from Funchal are presently timetabled as follows: 06:00 | 13:30 – Praça da Autonomia - stop Rua 31 Janeiro S (9); 06:02 | 13:32 – Jardim Santa Luzia; 06:10 | 13:40 – Monte - Largo da Fonte; 06:11 | 13:41 – Entrada Corujeira de Dentro; 06:15 | 13:45 – Terreiro da Luta; 06:23 | 13:53 – Portão Norte da Herdade do Chão da Lagoa; 06:27 | 13:57 – Poiso; 06:35 | 14:05 – Caminho Florestal das Serras de Santo António; 06:40 | 14:10 – Car park, Pico do

The national government has confirmed that a contract is being finalized for Binter to operate the air link between Madeira and Porto Santo until 2027. Their previous contract has been extended for successive periods of only 3 months on multiple occasions, making it difficult for travellers to book flights in advance.

  As the pressure on the island's most popular visitor destinations continues to mount, the Regional Government has announced its intention to introduce a variety of measures to manage demand and ensure the safety and maintenance of popular walking routes. Although the plans are not yet finalised, it is likely that some combination of charging and timed access will be used - a ticket will be issued for admission within a specified time window only. There is already a charge for access to the Ponta de São Lourenço path and likely additional canidates include the popular 'Pico to Pico' route and the walks in the Rabaçal area.  There are also plans for improvements, such as increased parking at Pico de Areeiro and a surfaced path at Ponta de São Lourenço where there have been a number of recent accidents. Access to certain trails may also be dependent on being accompanied with a licensed guide.  It is expected the full plans - and the public tenders for any necessary services