Tourists Often Unprepared for Hiking Trails
In 2024, Madeira recorded 175 rescues on its hiking trails - that is about one mountain rescue every second day or 15 mountain rescues each month. This high number is causing growing concern among rescue teams, who say many of these emergencies could have been avoided. Hikers - many of them tourists - frequently attempt mountain paths without the right equipment or experience.
From January 2025 to March 2025, there have already been as many or more incidents than in all of 2024. The more tourism increases in Madeira, the more rescues are happening in the region.
Rescuers Call for Better Awareness and Planning
Paulo Pereira, the commander of the island’s Protection and Rescue Post, says that while more officers are getting involved in rescue operations, the response could still improve. “Many of these situations could be avoided if people respected the safety rules,” he said.
He pointed out that teams are trained and ready, but that the problem often lies in poor planning or a lack of awareness. According to Pereira, greater coordination between tourism services and safety teams would help. “We’re working to improve, and I believe we’re moving in the right direction,” he added.
The latest case, for example, happened recently at Pico do Areeiro—it was completely unreasonable. The person went outside the marked trail, exposed themselves to danger, and the worst happened.
Calls for Tourists to Respect Mountain Safety
Officials stress that the recommended hiking trails are the safest option. These paths are regularly checked and designed to handle visitor traffic. Venturing off the trail can lead to dangerous falls, getting lost, or being exposed to sudden changes in weather. Some locals and professionals are also asking for more information to be shared with tourists before they begin their hikes. They believe that early guidance and clear rules could help avoid many emergencies.
First Aid Congress Held to Tackle Mountain Safety
As part of ongoing efforts to improve safety, the Press Museum in Madeira hosted a congress on first aid. Experts, professionals, and local authorities discussed how to respond better to accidents and how to educate the public about risk.
The event highlighted the need for cooperation across sectors—from tourism to emergency services. Everyone involved agrees on one point: more needs to be done to keep both locals and visitors safe in Madeira’s mountains.
Source: RTP Madeira
Care for a share?
Comments