Ribeira de Santa Luzia

Flow and conditions. Medium flow with cold water in January 2023, medium flow after the first post-summer rains in September 2023, weak flow in May 2020; do not do it on rainy days. Ropes of 50 m and 70 m work well.

In April 2019 new anchors were placed, notably at R3, R4 was doubled and a new rebelay installed at R6. In May 2020 a new rappel (the current R2) was installed to avoid a dangerous downclimb; the rest was OK. As of January 2023 the R4 chain is in good state (an aerial waterfall that becomes very dynamic in flow); the R5 in-line ground anchor had been damaged, the hanger/maillon was replaced and a cord added, and, because R5 is exposed to big rockfall, a backed-off handrail was added on a large boulder on the right bank; R7 was heavily oxidised and a cord was added. Between R5 and R6 and R6 to R7 there is no visual contact and loose rock causes falls. In September to October 2023 the canyon was well equipped and matched the sketch, with all anchors good. It is possible to go straight from the new anchor on the boulder before R5 (not yet on the sketch) to R6, skipping the R5 anchors; the pull is fine. At R4 do not stop on the first ledge but the second, where a downclimb on the right bank is possible; watch the rope pull, which can snag on the ledges.

Approach. From the Levada do Barreiro walk about 350 m; at some steep steps turn left onto a poorly marked path which becomes clearer after a couple of minutes and then descends in zigzags for about 20 min to a stone house. About 50 m past the house (where the path meets the "Meninos Jesus" stairs coming up from Fundoa) jump the fence on the right and push straight through dense brush to R1: there is no real path, so just bushwhack in a straight line. The entry point is beside a rock and a fallen tree.

Exit. Longer than the stated 30 min: allow about 1h20 down the creek and levada; the easiest place to climb out is about 30 m before the bridge on the right bank. An alternative route: at the bridge climb the right bank, cross to the left bank, go round the water-treatment plant on the right to reach the levada, then an easy walk to the houses at point #3 on the sketch.