Canyon in Madeira
Ribeira do Poiso
Extreme · v5a2 III
Rappels: 9 · Max waterfall: 120 m · Min rope: 60 m
A recently opened (April 2024) winter canyon with excellent verticals and a spectacular panorama. It is a technical descent requiring constant rope management for abrasion, with a 120 m main waterfall.
Current status
As of November 2025Completely dry three days after rain; anchors all OK but covered by brambles; the R4 handrail not found; high rockfall hazard.
Season and flow
Water is the limiting factor. The canyon was dry when it was opened. On the inaugural descent of 24 January 2025 there was a low but running flow, yet at R8 the water infiltrated the rock and became practically non-existent. On 2 November 2025, three days after the last rain, the canyon was completely dry.
Anchors and re-equipment
All anchors are doubled except the handrails (MCs), which are single-point (January 2025). In November 2025 all anchors were OK but heavily overgrown with brambles, and the MC of R4 could not be found.
Hazards
Rockfall danger is significant: the pools between rappels are small so there is little room to shelter, and there is a high risk of falling rock.
Official notes
This canyon is reserved for teams with good technical management of rebelays and rope manoeuvres. It requires constant rope management because of rub points. Check the flow before starting the canyon at #3. Because water is captured upstream of the canyon, it tends to have minimal flow or be dry; it is best done after rain.
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.