Canyon in Madeira
Ribeira da Abelheira
Extreme · v5a2 II
Rappels: 8 · Max waterfall: 150 m · Min rope: 70 m
A quick-access big-wall canyon: very beautiful, with an excellent approach and exit. The fast entry and exit make it perfect for anyone wanting a big, accessible vertical without long progressions: the big vertical is really nice and the canyon rates as top.
Current status
As of October 2023Very low flow, some bushwhacking through brambles, R5 straight to R8 skipping R6 to R7, new R8 anchors 2 to 3 m right of the old corroded bolts, all anchors in good condition.
Season and flow
Weak in January 2015; dry in October 2016; normal/strong in April 2019; weak in February and May 2020 and June 2022; very low in October 2023.
Anchors and re-equipment
The C150 and the R5 to R8 rebelays. The 150 m waterfall is the heart of the route. On 1 October 2016 a new rebelay was installed at R8 (and an extra hanger at R3); since then the standard line has been to go from R5 directly to R8, making R6 and R7 unnecessary (a 50 m pitch): this is how the waterfall was descended in February 2020, May 2020, June 2022 and October 2023. R5 sits further right than the route diagram suggests, just before a small overhang. R8 was originally old spits, with a spit-and-maillon visible below. To identify R8, look for an old anchor slightly above-left; the new R8 anchors are 2 to 3 m to the rappeller's right of the old corroded bolts and were all in good condition in October 2023. R8 receives heavy water in strong flow.
Corrosion at R8. A long-standing issue: the zinc-plated material showed some corrosion as early as January 2015, and the parabolts on the two ring hangers were visibly corroded by February 2020, with corrosion again evident in May 2020 and June 2022. Since October 2023 new R8 anchors have been in place beside the old corroded bolts.
Other anchors. R3 had only one usable anchor, the other being broken, in August 2015; a hanger was added in October 2016. R1 has two ring hangers on the left. In June 2022 a fallen tree at R2 covered the approach anchor and two hanging branches could not be removed from the rappel anchor.
Hazards
Rockfall on the C150, especially for anyone waiting at R8. Fallen trees, brush and brambles in the bed (2022, 2023).
Official notes
The flow of the main "Água D'alto" waterfall can easily be checked from point 3. Some rebelays on the 150 m waterfall can be skipped with longer ropes. R8 has two anchor points: an old iron one and a new stainless-steel one about 2 m to the side. All rappels are out of the water. Rockfall hazard: the first person down should thoroughly clean the rappel area.
Anchors, flow and access change with every storm and every winter. Treat the current status as a snapshot and check the latest conditions before any descent.
Technical data
Official technical sheet
Detailed data, history and technical notes are maintained by Clube Aventura da Madeira on the Canyons da Madeira website.
Nearby and similar canyons
Other sections of the same stream, canyons in the same area, and canyons of a similar grade.