Canyon in Madeira
Ribeira da Cova do Cassapo (Voltas da Matilde)
Beginner · v2a2 I
Rappels: 11 · Max waterfall: 28 m · Min rope: 30 m
A very aesthetic, pleasant canyon, easy enough to be done with children, with good-quality gear and a short, precise topo. It is north-facing with little sun. Fallen trees are a permanent feature: many trunks and branches lie along the route, which gives the canyon a special touch without hindering progress.
Current status
As of October 2023Access clear, gear fine, light flow after two days of rain; the hazardous trunk with suspended stones above the R9 abseil line still needs cutting.
Season and flow
Generally low to normal: low in late winter and autumn, flowing to normal in March, and only light even after two days of rain in October.
Anchors and re-equipment
All anchors are in good condition throughout. R7 is on the right, not in the centre. The deviation (DL) on R9 is not easy to find. On R11 the arrangement of the rings makes rope retrieval a little awkward. A fallen tree at R8 has had its branches cut back.
Hazards
The 28m rappel must be rigged using the handrail: rappelling from the handrail's starting point creates too much friction, and a releasable figure-8 can jam in a crack there, leaving the descender stuck mid-rappel; carry an ascender and a headlamp. At R9 a trunk with its stump holding stones is suspended above the abseil line and needs cutting with a saw. Rope protection is needed on R5.
Access and exit
The approach path is in excellent condition but the walk-up is demanding. The entrance is marked by three marks on a tree (re-marked in March 2023 after becoming overgrown) and a cairn. Exit via a trail on the left marked by a small pile of stones, crossing the next watercourse to rejoin the Voltas path; in darkness the exit trail is easy to miss, in which case the dry riverbed can simply be followed to the road.
Official notes
After R4 there are many trunks and small rockfalls that must be crossed. On R5 the rope must be protected from the heavy rub caused by an edge.
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.