Difficulty: v5a3II
Highest rappel: 90 meter
Number of rappels: 8
Needed cars: 1 or 2
Approach: 25 or 40 minutes
In the canyon: 2½ hour
Return: 10 minutes
Overall time: 4 hours
Altitude parking: 120 meter
Altitude entry: 345 meter
Difference in height: 195 meter
Length: 500 meter
This canyoning topo from Casa Vento
Madeira describes the canyon or rather the Funda Meia Legua
waterfall in Ribeira Brava. The tour is located directly behind the upper
Continente supermarket just before the tunnel to Sao Vicente. Our last visit took place at
the end of November, directly after heavy rainfall. Only then does a sufficient amount of water
run through the canyon, especially in summer the water basins in the middle section are very
dirty and it is not advisable to walk there. Fortunately, you can see the last waterfall,
which is at least ninety meters long, very well from the supermarket parking lot and thus
assess the conditions.
Due to the short descending season, the abseiling points are only drilled to the minimum
level. In one case, it is necessary to use a tree as a starting point for a rope railing,
in the middle section, the rope must not be pulled off in several places before the next anchor
point is reached. An update for more safety is being planned.
In addition, there may be passages with vegetation in the upper section, garden shears are a
useful piece of equipment.
In the PDF file you will find the complete GPS data and the routes are marked on the map.
I am your experienced partner for canyoning in Madeira.
We provide the complete service:
Guiding of the described canyon for two or more people
Trilingual CIC canyoning guide with extensive experience
Photo and video service for your canyoning tour
Rental of all necessary materials
Transfers to the gorges, shuttle service
Delicious catering: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
Accommodation in our vacation home
Welcome to our Casa Vento Madeira in Ribeira Brava!
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Here is all the information you need for your tour:
As with any canyoning tour, you will need the usual equipment for the Funda Meia Legua canyon:
Wetsuit, two-piece, 5mm with hood
Neoprene socks
Mountain sports helmet
Canyoning harness with two lanyards
Descender
Several carabiners
Rescue equipment such as Shunt etc.
Canyoning shoes
Canyoning backpack
Waterproof barrel
At least 2 x 60 meters of rope
60 meter emergency rope
First aid kit
Spare equipment
Bolting kit
Swimsuit and towel
Food, Drink
Garden scissors
From Ribeira Brava, take the VE4 in the direction of Sao Vicente. A good 100 meters before
the Meia Legua tunnel, turn right towards "zona comercial" and "centro desportiva". Follow
this road for 250 meters and then drive into the parking lot of the Continente supermarket.
Here you can see the water level of the last waterfall and the main river, which you have to
cross on the way out.
Then drive back towards the sports field and park on the left-hand side (see picture). Please
do not park your car in the supermarket parking lot!
GPS data of the parking lot:
32,xxxxxx
-17,xxxxxx
Go back onto VE4 and follow it for a good kilometer towards the sea. Keep to the left-hand
lane! Shortly after the two lanes separate, turn left towards Faja da Ribeira. Follow this
road to the highest point. Shortly afterwards, a footpath branches off to the left.
GPS data of the starting point:
32,xxxxxx
-17,xxxxxx
If you have two cars at your disposal, you can also drive to this point.
Follow this concrete path, which is exposed in places, until you reach a bridge that spans
our canyon.
GPS data of the entrance:
32,xxxxxx
-17,xxxxxx
The first section after the bridge in particular is often very slippery, there is a single bolt a bit hidden far in front on the right riverside. From here you abseil two steps. The next abseil point requires a rope railing, it is best to use the tree at the top left. This is followed by two abseils to warm up, then a short passage through undergrowth and trees. At all subsequent abseiling points, it is essential that you always abseil to the next belay station. There are no rope railing points and the anchors are usually extremely exposed and access without a rope is impossible. Have fun on the 40, 30, 40 and 60 meter high abseils!
From the penultimate anchor you have a good view of the return path to the car. You follow
the course of the river below, ideally on the right bank (be careful, there are sharp
wires in the wall), until you reach the main river Ribeira Brava. Walk a good 200 meters
upstream, cross it at a dam and then climb up the concrete steps.
Caution: This will take you into the backyard of a small DIY store, so it can't hurt to
ask if you are allowed to enter the premises before you go there. Also check the opening
times! Turn left on the road back to the car.
