Ribeira da Furna

Normal to moderate for most of the year; in big winter flow (February) the last third of the final waterfall becomes a very strong shower; elevated in December, medium in early June. Once the first person has passed R1 the water turns brown and muddy, so everyone following descends "blind".

The canyon has a history of anchor theft and re-bolting. In December 2015 the equipment from R2 to R6 was stolen and smashed with rocks; set-back trees allowed all rappels and gear was not replaced to avoid further theft. In September 2019 chemical anchors were installed to deter theft: R1 rope ring + maillon; R2 one M10x120 chemical stud; R3 and R4 one M10 ring hanger each; R5 one chemical stud; R6 one plain M10 hanger + maillon and one chemical stud; R7 and R8 two M10 ring hangers each. By December 2019 the R1 tree sling and maillon were very degraded and rusty. By July 2022 material had been removed from the handrail to R1 (one point gone, one loose - do not use); the complete R1 is lower down to the left and is higher than the topo indicates. In September 2024 a new I-shaped chemical anchor was added on the right bank at R1 with a rope protector 1.5m below (only for low summer flow, as it puts you in the middle of the fall), plus two chemical handrail anchors on the left bank; at R8 four extra hangers were added on the left bank at handrail level, allowing a rappel from directly above R8 (some rub) or a handrail to two hangers further out (E++ 23m) keeping the rappel out of the flow; a multi-point handrail is advisable. The R1 anchors are below a small tree on the left bank and need a handrail. The R7 upper anchors are very hard to reach on extremely slippery ground and R8 is not visible from R7 (risk of confusion); R7 has three heads with difficult access to the second two, and R8 is 6m lower and avoids the current. The 45m R1 is only just enough for 45m ropes - bring longer.

Lots of rockfall in the first waterfall. Fallen tree and branches at the bottom of R2 and a tree right in the descent line at R4. Trees in the R6 pool: the jump at R6 is not advised (underwater log, confirmed with a mask); the R3 jump is possible. The access path is slippery and the exit to the road is swampy. R8 can be critical in high flow.

The approach path alternates between overgrown (ferns and bramble, at times needing cutting tools; aim for the large tree heath) and clean, depending on recent maintenance.