Canyon in Madeira
Ribeira do Fôjo
Intermediate · v3a1 II
Rappels: 12 · Max waterfall: 33 m · Min rope: 30 m
The character of this canyon has changed with its equipment. Its natural beauty is above average, but before the 2024 re-bolting the technical progression, the many fallen trees and the poor tree anchors made the canyon and its rappels rather uninteresting; since the October 2024 re-bolting it is a good intermediate-level canyon that is ideal for rainy days, with two 30 m waterfalls as the highlights. The upper section up to R3/R4 involves difficult progression with no anchors on the first drops, which can be bypassed without ropes as the sketch shows. Water is scarce until R3/R4 and comes and goes along the canyon, being present on the main falls. The rock is very slippery, notably approaching R4. An invasive plant (Hedychium, "Roca de Vénus") is present.
Current status
As of October 2024Fully re-bolted with 9 new hangers replacing all tree anchors; the road is drivable with a normal car; a recommended intermediate rainy-day canyon.
Anchors and re-equipment
In 2016 the anchor ropes were in good condition. By 2019 the canyon was mostly rigged from trees, the R3 and R11 tree anchors were badly degraded and R12 was good. On 19 October 2024 all natural anchors were replaced and 9 hangers added in total; notably R9 received two hangers on the right bank (D-7 m, D-12 m with a deviation at 6 m) and R12 two hangers in the centre (C-25 m) allowing a rappel in the water line.
Access and exit
Access. From parking point #1 a normal city car can now drive the concrete road to the levada-keepers' house (October 2024; in 2016 a 4x4 was preferable), then walk the levada about 15 min to the start (on foot from point #1 via the Levada dos Tornos towards Lombo do Urzal it is about 45 min).
Exit. After R12 exit on the left bank and follow the levada on the right bank; where concrete steps meet the levada turn left and descend to a cluster of houses on a dead-end road at Serra de Água, where the second car is left: about 20 min of easy walking. An alternative exit via the levada to the right towards Fajã do Penedo has exposed passages and takes about 35 min back to point #1. In 2016 the exit was hard to find, and more rappels exist below the marked exit down to a small dam, with a path leaving on the right. Mobile signal (on at least one network) is available from about mid-canyon.
Official notes
With only one vehicle it is not worthwhile continuing past R12, as there is a long walk back after crossing the Ribeira do Porco.
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.