The Teixeira River Valley presents its hills sides as degraded and poor in vegetation (only bushes), as a consequence of recent wild fires.
But in the river bank sides you can still find a diverse vegetation of trees and bushes, such as alders, willows, oaks, ferns,…
Talking about its geology, there is a predominance of granites and shists (shale).
Its and embedded valley with several ways out.
Hydrology: an affluent of the Vouga River. A small hydro plant takes part of the original water flow, but keeps it in the summer season to maintain the ecosystem. There are no problems regarding the water power, but as the hydrographic basin has a great area after a high precipitation season, the river can become dangerous or unpredictable.
There is good quality of the translucent water. The water temperature goes from 14 to 20ºC, always depending on the season of the year and the time of the day.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Extension: 1,5 to 2 km
Duration: about 4 hours
Difficulty: Canyon with medium difficulty when done with summer water flow
Initial Altitude: 405 m
Ending Altitude: 195 m
Total Descent: 210 m
Recommended time: From April to October, depending of the climate conditions
Meeting Point: At 9h am, in the village of S. João da Serra, in the square besides the main road (it has a small chapel, coffee shop, ATM, and a shop).
Technical Description: Right after entering the river you will find the first rappel with two ways one the left and right. This one has about 25meters drop, with several platforms and it is slightly slippery, ending in a wide pool. After 15 minutes walking beside de river, with big stone blocks and some pools, comes the second obstacle, that has to be overcomed recurring to the rappel technique again, this time 35 meters high! The water fall is partially a ramp and slipery, so if you dont have a lot of experience with rappel we can use the guided rappel (that takes you down diagonally to the step bellow). Going further along the river bed we get to a wide and deep pool with jumping spots 4 meters high. There is also a water slide or jumps with different heights.
The river goes through a narrower face with shale walls. The last obstacle can be done overcoming a small step, 2 meters high, where you can again do rappel with 15 meters to a long and deep pool. There is also the possibility to overcome this obstacle, rappelling down from a tree, increasing the descent until 22 meters in to the deep part of the pool.
Right after this pool we get out in the left river side, going through a trail for 5 minutes until the road where the vehicles will be.
Recommendation: The participants should have a good physical condition and fitness, have experience in canyoning with rappel, or should have done several rappels to have experience with ropes. Even though, this can be done without any previous experience.
We recommend you to spend the night in an accommodation of the region so that you are on time in the day of the activity. We can make the reservation in a residential in Sever do Vouga.
Logistics
What you should bring – You should bring drinkable water and a light lunch (Lunch, fruit and energy bars). It is necessary to bring water appropriate foot wear (walking boots), neoprene socks (optional), Lycra shirt (optional), small back pack for water usage, protector solar, an elastic to hold back your hair ( if you have long hair). Who wears graduated glasses should se a string to hold them tight for safety reasons.
What is Canyoning?
Canyoning – consists in progressing through a river, overcoming the obstacles that lay on the way, such as big drops and waterfalls, using climbing and rappelling techniques. Its generally composed by slides, waterfalls, jumps in to magnificent pools of clear water, swimming, Rappel descents, climbing and Trekking.
It's a recent modality, started in the 70s, that appeared during the exploration of rivers and caves from some adventurers and explorers.
Canyoning is an extremely safe activity that uses highly reliable equipment, tested for this type of activity. It makes you feel an inexplicable sensation of freedom and harmony with nature, making the contact with it even closer. This activity is a great alternative to who desires to release from stress and the daily routine.
It's a great Therapy and always with great adventures from Muitaventura.
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