Canyon in Madeira
Ribeira do Vimieiro
Advanced · v4a2 II
Rappels: 16 · Max waterfall: 60 m · Min rope: 40 m
Vimieiro is one of the most-loved canyons on the island: arguably the best canyon in Madeira, magical, beautiful and always very fun; it needs no introduction. There is hardly any walking: just one rappel after another with several big waterfalls, well bolted with easy rope retrieval and nice handlines; the multi-pitch drops are well rigged. A team of 3 can do it in 1 h 50 to 2 h 20. It can feel a bit overrated to some: R4 and R7 can easily be skipped, and skipping R12 is tempting but not recommended because pulling the rope from R11 is a struggle. The water is cold in the first part; a rain/wind jacket is advised. The water is around A3 in places, otherwise A2.
Current status
As of September 2025Levada repaired, so flow is normal to low; all anchors in good condition; R13 rebuilt with 3 chemical anchors, maillon and solid ring.
Season and flow
Normal flow is the usual condition, strikingly stable even after heavy rain (as in March 2024). Higher flow occurs after rain, as in October 2020, December 2021, January 2022 and October 2024. In August 2022 the levada at the start was blocked so all water entered the stream, giving very good flow; by September 2025 the levada had been repaired and flow was back to normal to low. It was a bit low in July 2025.
Anchors and re-equipment
Anchors: the R13 saga. R13 (top of the big waterfall) has long been the recurring concern: a tree at the top in June 2015; the rope joining the hangers replaced in April 2017; hangers moving in March 2024, with a red piton as backup; both rings moving with a piton backup (March 2024); still a bit scary in October 2024; tightened in September 2024; after the April 2025 landslide the bolts had to be searched for but were sound. By June 2025 R13 was bomb-proof, and in September 2025 it was confirmed as very well rebuilt: 3 chemical anchors with maillon and solid ring. Other items: the R7 left hanger has been loose (January and August 2022); at R3 the rope through the thread/lúnula shows notable abrasion (June and July 2025): watch for rope rub there.
Hazards
A landslide with an unstable medium tree after R2 (August 2015); fallen vegetation between R1 and R2 (March 2024); a fresh landslide with trees shortly before the last anchor (April 2025) and a large earth slide at the last rappel where a fixed rope was left, presumably for clean-up (May 2025); fallen trees, easily passable (July 2025); a small slide mid-canyon not affecting the descent (June 2025).
Access and exit
Approach. The approach is the same as for Hortelã and Seixal inferior: first the steep "stairway to hell", then the levada; car to first anchor takes about 1 h 50 at a slow pace.
Official notes
To reach R7 you must cross the flow in a rather slippery spot. From R8 onwards it is possible to escape the canyon via the left bank.
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.