Canyon in Madeira
Ribeira do Inferno (Superior)
Intermediate · v3a2 III
Rappels: 19 · Max waterfall: 30 m · Min rope: 28 m
The upper Ribeira do Inferno is a very aesthetic canyon that surprises with its beauty, especially after the left-bank tributary joins. It is a canyon of fantastic beauty with narrow, deep sections, and from the entry you can see two enormous waterfalls upstream. It is not descended often because of its logistics. Headlamps are mandatory and progression is very slippery.
Current status
As of December 2023After two days of heavy rain the flow was moderate, picking up below the tributary; the canyon had been re-equipped and all anchors were OK as per the topo; a fresh landslide with a large tree lies on the R11 anchors but they remain usable; there are many fallen trees and small slides along the route.
Season and flow
Water flow and conditions. In January 2017 water ran the whole length. In March 2020 the flow was reasonable with no rain days; in rainy weather the narrow, deep sections can become a challenge. On 4 December 2023, after two days of heavy rain, the flow was merely running until the tributary; below it the flow became more interesting but not excessive.
Anchors and re-equipment
The anchors have been consistently operational: all operational in February 2015; equipment in reasonable condition in January 2017; anchors OK in June 2018; all operational in March 2020, when the last anchor, R19, was replaced; and in December 2023 the canyon had been re-equipped for a meeting and all anchors matched the topo. Before R11 there was a landslide with a large fallen tree right on top of the anchors, which nonetheless remain usable (December 2023).
Hazards
Fallen trees and trunks in the watercourse are a recurring feature: in 2015 some trees and trunks required care; in June 2018 a landslide at the end of the canyon left many branches and debris on the route; in March 2020 large trees between R17 and R18 hindered progression; in December 2023 there were many fallen trees, trunks and small landslides along the canyon, though not very difficult to pass.
Access and exit
Without a 4×4 allow 1h30 for the approach on foot: 1h30 on foot from the Levada da Fajã dos Rodrigues, or 1h30 on foot from Ginjas.
Official notes
There is some vegetation and there are fallen trees in the watercourse. After R14 a tributary joins and the flow doubles. There are several downclimbs, at times delicate.
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.