Around Madeira

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

Headlining the local press is an announcement from the police that they have issued 500 fines over the last two and a half years in relation to obstruction and other traffic offences in the vicinity of Pico do Arieiro.  The popular site has become increasingly notorious for long queues of vehicles - particularly in the early morning - and for visitors leaving their vehicles where they obstruct other traffic. A planned car park for an additional 250 vehicles is currently stalled owing to the ongoing regional government crisis. The bus operator, Horários do Funchal, is said to be assessing the viability of operating a tourist bus route as there is currently no public transport to the location. There are both guided tours and shared transfer options, so visitors are urged to use these where they can.

  The 15h of August sees the traditional celebration of Our Lady of Monte and in the immediately preceding days the streets around Monte will be busy with the preparations.  For this reason, the popular wicker toboggans that career down the hill to Funchal will be out of action from 12th-15th August inclusive.