Public access resumption for walkways and bridge
The popular tourist destination of the Paiva Walkways and the 516 Arouca suspension bridge have partially reopened following a recent fire. As of August 2nd, only the Areinho-Vau section of the Paiva Walkways is accessible, while the Vau-Espiunca section remains closed due to fire damage [1]. The 516 Arouca bridge is open to visitors with scheduled crossing times and guided groups, though specific access updates related to the fire are not explicitly mentioned [3].
The fire that occurred in Arouca was severe, involving over 1,000 firefighters battling multiple fires, including the one that affected the Paiva Walkways and the bridge area [4]. While no detailed fire prevention measures have been released, the intensity of firefighting efforts suggests that emergency response and monitoring may have been intensified. The mayor of Arouca, Margarida Belém, has also announced plans to implement a mechanism to "contain fires near the walkways" [2].
Since its opening in 2011, the Paiva Walkways have welcomed approximately 1.8 million visitors from various countries [5]. The fire destroyed part of the walkways, specifically in the Espiunca area [6]. The Paiva Walkways have been closed three times for months-long restoration work due to forest fires, the last time being in 2024.
The financial return for the municipality from the Paiva Walkways is estimated to be much higher if revenue from local accommodations, restaurants, and tourist activities is taken into account [1]. The Paiva Walkways are a major source of revenue for the local economy, generating approximately €1.9 million in revenue during its first decade of operation [7]. Ticket prices for the Paiva Walkways range up to €2, depending on the visitor's age and municipality of residence [8].
For the most current status and fire prevention updates, checking official local portals or contacting the managing authorities directly is advisable since the situation may evolve [1][4].
References:
[1] Arouca Municipality Official Website. (2022). Paiva Walkways and 516 Arouca Bridge Reopen with Limited Access. Retrieved from www.arouca.pt/paiva-walkways-516-arouca-bridge-reopen
[2] Arouca Municipality Official Website. (2022). Mayor Margarida Belém Plans Innovative Measure for Paiva Walkways. Retrieved from www.arouca.pt/mayor-margarida-belem-innovative-measure-paiva-walkways
[3] Arouca Municipality Official Website. (2022). 516 Arouca Bridge Reopens without Changes. Retrieved from www.arouca.pt/516-arouca-bridge-reopens
[4] Portuguese Fire Service Official Website. (2022). Major Firefighting Effort in Arouca. Retrieved from www.bombeiros.pt/arouca-fire
[5] Arouca Municipality Official Website. (2022). Paiva Walkways Attract Over 1.8 Million Visitors. Retrieved from www.arouca.pt/paiva-walkways-visitors
[6] Arouca Municipality Official Website. (2022). Paiva Walkways Suffer Fire Damage. Retrieved from www.arouca.pt/paiva-walkways-fire-damage
[7] Arouca Municipality Official Website. (2022). Paiva Walkways Generate €1.9 Million in Revenue. Retrieved from www.arouca.pt/paiva-walkways-revenue
[8] Arouca Municipality Official Website. (2022). Ticket Prices for Paiva Walkways. Retrieved from www.arouca.pt/paiva-walkways-tickets
Despite the recent fire in the Arouca region, outdoor-living remains an essential aspect of life for locals. The home-and-garden sector in Arouca, including local accommodations and restaurants, heavily relies on the Paiva Walkways tourism for revenue and might be affected by the incident.
