Ribeira do Seixal (inferior)

Flow is generally normal or low-medium; the levada upstream takes most of the flow from the superior section, so even after rain (as in October 2023) the inferior keeps a normal flow. In March 2016 the flow was a little strong but all rappels could still be done in the water; good flow from the start occurred in August 2021 and after rains in May 2023. The mid-anchor on the 40 m waterfall gives a powerful shower: wear a hood when descending with a group.

Anchors are generally in good condition and consistent with the published rappel sequence. Changes over time: ring hangers were fitted on the main anchors in October 2017; a new anchor at R15 on the left bank (November 2019) allows the rappel over the waterfall; the R14 rope needed replacing in January 2019; at R6 an old parabolt can damage the rope, use a rope protector, and R6 was tightened in May 2023. Theft: in May 2022 the second bolt of the handrail on the biggest waterfall was stripped (10 mm inox ring, washer and screw missing), and by May 2023 the missing handrail point had been replaced. The big rappel anchor has two ring hangers. At the mid-station for R8 there is a bare parabolt usable only as a handrail point; R8 is often rappelled to the bottom in one go, skipping the R9 rebelay. Rope-rub management needs attention throughout.

Landslides and obstacles. Major landslides are a recurring feature: a big rock and tree fall after R6 (March 2016); a large fallen tree in R7 and a landslide over 100 m long after R10 that reshaped the bed (December 2019), which also made the R10 deviation unnecessary; and further massive, frightening landslides in late 2023/January 2024. Progression through them is not difficult. There are thorns after the second waterfall. The R4 pool remains very deep, but the R13 pool has filled in and is no longer jumpable, even with shallow-jump technique (knee deep, as of October 2023).

Approach. The approach is demanding: a very steep staircase (the "stairway to hell", roughly +400 m) that takes a slow group about 30 min to reach and just over 1 h to the top, followed by a pleasant flat levada walk.