Public access to walkways and bridges set to resume
The Paiva Walkways, a popular tourist destination in Arouca, Portugal, have partially reopened to the public following a recent fire incident. As of early August 2025, only the Areinho-Vau section is accessible, with the Vau-Espiunca section remaining closed [1].
The fire, which occurred in Arouca earlier this year, caused significant damage to the Paiva Walkways, specifically in the Espiunca area [3]. The 516 Arouca suspension bridge, a key attraction, is operational, but access to it requires crossing at designated times in groups, with a briefing beforehand, and the approach involves some steep and narrow paths [3].
The reopening of the Paiva Walkways and the 516 Arouca bridge comes after three months of repairs, which cost over €200,000 [2]. This is the fourth time the walkways have been affected by forest fires since their inauguration in June 2015 [4].
The ongoing safety and recovery assessments following the fire likely explain the limited access to the walkways and the regulated crossing times for the 516 Arouca bridge [1][5]. However, details about newly implemented fire prevention measures are not explicitly provided in the sources [1][5].
Despite the restrictions, the Paiva Walkways and the 516 Arouca bridge continue to attract visitors from various countries, contributing significantly to the local economy [6]. In its first decade of operation, the walkways welcomed approximately 1.8 million visitors and generated approximately €1.9 million in revenue [7].
The mayor of Arouca, Margarida Belém, has plans to implement a mechanism to prevent fires near the Paiva Walkways and to study an "innovative measure" to improve access to the walkways [8]. She also aims to consider the financial impact of the walkways on local accommodations, restaurants, and tourist activities to maximise its potential returns [9].
Visitors planning a trip to the Paiva Walkways and the 516 Arouca bridge are advised to check for the latest updates beforehand, as access conditions may change. Outdoor tours that include both the walkways and the bridge are available, but expect some restrictions due to these access conditions [2][4].
References: 1. Paiva Walkways partially reopens after fire 2. Tourist attractions in Arouca: Paiva Walkways and 516 Arouca bridge 3. 516 Arouca bridge reopens with regulated crossing times 4. Fire at Paiva Walkways: What we know so far 5. Environmental impact of the fire at Paiva Walkways 6. International visitors flock to Paiva Walkways 7. Decade of success for Paiva Walkways 8. Mayor's plans for fire prevention near Paiva Walkways 9. Maximising economic potential of Paiva Walkways
- The limited access to the Paiva Walkways, despite the recent reopening, is due to ongoing safety and recovery assessments following the fire, which may also explain the regulated crossing times for the 516 Arouca bridge.
- To maximize the potential returns of the Paiva Walkways, the mayor of Arouca plans to implement a fire prevention mechanism and study an "innovative measure" to improve access, while also considering the financial impact on local accommodations, restaurants, and tourist activities.
