Caldeirão Verde Plunge Pool Cordoned Off Following Rockfall Injury; Inferno Extension Closed

On 22 and 23 October 2026, the Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation (IFCN) together with Regional Civil Protection (Proteção Civil da Madeira) established a signposted safety cordon around the inner waterfall basin and plunge pool of Caldeirão Verde on PR 9 Levada do Caldeirão Verde. The perimeter was installed following a serious rockfall incident on Sunday 20 October 2026, when falling basalt debris struck a French hiker at the waterfall basin, necessitating an aerial evacuation by the regional search-and-rescue helicopter.

While the levada walking corridor from the Queimadas Forestry Park (Parque Florestal das Queimadas) to the Caldeirão Verde waterfall amphitheatre remains open for a distance of 6.5 km each way (13.0 km there and back), direct access to the waterfall lagoon and its immediate cliff perimeter is cordoned off with barrier tape and warning signs. In addition, the upper mountain extension beyond Caldeirão Verde climbing toward Caldeirão do Inferno remains closed.

The 20 October rockfall incident and emergency response

The accident took place during the afternoon of 20 October 2026 in the deep circular caldera of Caldeirão Verde, where vertical basalt walls rising more than one hundred metres create a natural amphitheatre. Rocks detached from the upper mossy cliffs and tumbled into the popular resting area surrounding the plunge pool, causing traumatic head injuries to a hiker.

Due to the vertical canyon topography, deep cloud cover, and total absence of vehicular access roads, regional authorities mobilized the Proteção Civil rescue helicopter alongside Santana Volunteer Firefighters (Bombeiros Voluntários de Santana). Emergency medical teams winched the casualty from the canyon floor and transferred them to Dr. Nélio Mendonça Hospital in Funchal. Following geotechnical inspections on 22 and 23 October 2026, forestry authorities installed protective boundary tape across the lagoon approach to prevent visitors from gathering directly underneath the sheer rock headwall.

Open route to the waterfall viewpoint vs. upper canyon closure

Hikers planning PR 9 should understand the operational distinction between the open levada route and the restricted sections:

1. Queimadas to Caldeirão Verde Viewpoint (Open, 6.5 km): The main levada walk from the thatched-roof forestry lodge at Queimadas along the São Jorge gorge is fully open. Walkers pass through four historic rock-cut tunnels to reach the spacious natural viewpoint overlooking the waterfall. This provides a scenic 13.0 km round trip returning to your car at Queimadas.
2. Waterfall Plunge Pool (Cordoned Off): The gravel shore and emerald pool directly below the vertical cascade are strictly closed behind forestry barrier tape. Visitors must remain on the designated viewpoint trail and never cross the safety perimeter to swim, picnic, or pose for photographs near the rock face.
3. Caldeirão do Inferno Extension (Closed): The onward path branching beyond Caldeirão Verde across metal footbridges, staircases, and additional canyon tunnels toward Caldeirão do Inferno remains closed. Hikers must turn around at the Caldeirão Verde viewpoint and retrace their steps to Queimadas.

Tunnels, moisture, and essential equipment

Although the 6.5 km section to the waterfall viewpoint features inspected cable railings along exposed cliff sections, the interior conditions require dedicated mountain gear:

• Dedicated headlamp: The four unlit tunnels along the open section are low-ceilinged, curved, and pitch-black. A powerful headlamp leaving both hands free is mandatory.
• Waterproof shell and sturdy footwear: Tunnel ceilings and canyon overhanging cliffs drip water continuously. Wear hiking boots with deep tread that grip slick wet basalt.

Trailhead parking and reservation rules

Queimadas Forestry Park is situated at 880 m altitude above Santana. The regulated parking lot fills early in the morning; arrive before 08:30 or take a taxi from Santana. The classified PR route fee of €4.50 applies to non-resident visitors aged 13 and over, bookable through the regional SIMplifica portal. Regional residents and children aged 12 and under pay €0 but require an advance slot reservation. Full fee and booking rules are explained in PR trail fees and reservation rules on Madeira.