Canyon in Madeira

Ribeira da Hortelã (superior)

Extreme · v5a3 III

Ribeira da Hortelã Superior is a demanding level 5 canyon in Porto Moniz, one of Madeira's longest technical descents with 34 rappels over 1300 meters. The 75-meter maximum waterfall and sustained difficulty make this a full-day adventure for experienced canyoneers. This challenging Madeira canyoning route passes through remote wilderness, offering an authentic expedition-style experience. Professional guidance and excellent fitness essential.

Difficulty
v5a3 III
Based on v-grade scale
Location
Porto Moniz
Max waterfall
75 m
Min rope
40 m
Rappels
34
Length
1300 m
Recommended level
Extreme

Official technical sheet

Detailed data, history and technical notes are maintained by Clube Aventura da Madeira on the Canyons da Madeira website.

View official page

What to expect

This description is intentionally simple and user‑friendly. We use the official technical grading from Canyons da Madeira (v5a3 III) to help you understand the level, but our focus is on matching you with the right tour and guide, not on replacing the official canyon sheets.

If you are interested in exploring Ribeira da Hortelã (superior), get in touch and we will advise you on the best tour for your experience, fitness level and expectations.