Ribeiro Bonito (Superior)

Normal in winter 2015 (with some delicate downclimbs), normal in October 2015, medium-low in April 2023, medium in February 2025, and more than usual but doable in May 2026.

Equipment was sound in February 2015 except for the rope joining the pitons on the last rappel (R10), which needed replacement; it was sound again in October 2015 (fallen trees but no obstructions). In October 2022 the rope run directly through a piton at R12 was replaced with maillons and rope. All anchors were good in April 2023 and February 2025.

Approach. The Vereda dos Assumadores is the usual approach, reached from the Levada do Rei (about 30 min along the levada, past the Sebastião Vaz canyon, then a forest road on the right). The first third follows the stream (mostly river right, following the black water pipe), crosses after 15 to 20 min, then climbs very steeply for about 1 h 20 to 1 h 30 (400 m of gain) to a clearing that jeeps can reach; turn left and descend about 40 min to the canyon, then about 20 min more (800 m of slippery terrain, better on the parallel trail) to R1. The lower path is at times almost indistinguishable, so a 4x4 taken as close as possible saves effort: but in wet conditions the muddy forest road from Miradouro das Voltas can be impassable even for a 4x4 (as in October 2022). Thorn bush on the flat section can add 20 min of fighting through vegetation; in May 2026 this bush was cut open. Car-to-R1 takes up to 2 h 30, and the full round trip about 5 h 15. Exit via the Levada do Rei.