Canyon in Madeira
Ribeira do Campanário (Inferior)
Advanced · v4a2 III
Rappels: 3 · Max waterfall: 90 m · Min rope: 85 m
A very short canyon (three rappels) whose whole point is the 90 m final waterfall: the C90 head is arguably the most spectacular anchor point in Madeira, always really impressive, with a spectacular view from the top. R3 is very exposed. The canyon ends at the sea at Calhau da Lapa: fresh sea water for a swim, and bring cash for a cold drink before the 20 to 30 min climb back up the path, which was completely renewed by January 2021. There is a lot of rubbish in the canyon (December 2024).
Current status
As of December 2025Good flow; the section between C15 and C90 is cleaned; a possible emergency exit exists on river left; a large unstable landslide is perched above the canyon.
Season and flow
Weak in September 2017 and June 2018; low with a smelly final pool on 26 August 2020; perfect but slightly brown in January 2021 after rain; good winter flow in December 2024; strong but easily doable on 3 April 2025 (windy at the foot of the big fall); good flow on 31 December 2025.
Anchors and re-equipment
Anchors and rigging. In 2017 the R1 handrail had only one point; in 2020 all anchors were more or less good except the start of the first handrail; in 2021 the bolts were OK but R1 could use improvement and the middle anchors of the C90 could not be found. On 23 December 2024 a two-bolt rebelay was added on the C90 just after the free-hanging part, about 45 m from the head, leaving a 40 m rappel to the ground, so the canyon can now be done with 50 m ropes. Since December 2024 there is also an extra anchor shortly before the main C90 anchor that makes access much easier. It is also possible to rappel from the railing near the bench, which leads directly to the first waterfall and adds one rappel. An old tyre migrated from the R1 pool to the bottom of R2 in 2021.
Hazards
Hazards and changes. After heavy rain in January 2021 the riverbed was well cleaned of bushes. By 31 December 2025 the section between the C15 and the C90 had been cleared, and there appears to be an emergency exit on river left in that area; above the canyon a huge landslide is waiting to drop into the stream.
Official notes
On the R1 handrail one of the hangers is damaged. On R3 it is possible to rebelay after 60 m of descent (40 m of it free-hanging), but the equipment would be unprotected from big flows.
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.