Ropes, pools, and mountains in Nuns Valley. This Level 2 Madeira canyoning run mixes four abseils (including a top 15-meter rappel) with optional jumps and slideable water moments. I love the way the guides coach you step by step so you feel safe on the rope. I also love the constant mountain views while you move through the canyon. One thing to keep in mind: it’s physical, and you’ll want to be comfortable with an active, wet day.

You don’t have to be a hardcore adrenaline seeker to enjoy it. The level is designed for people who want more than the basics, with bigger drops and higher jumps, but the pace still stays beginner-friendly thanks to clear instruction and encouragement. If you’re nervous about the pools, you’ll usually have options to adjust.

A good day here starts before you even reach the water. You’ll walk about 20 minutes on dirt road and along a levada (a traditional irrigation channel), then gear up for the fun part.

Quick Hits Before You Go

• 15-meter max abseil with four rappels: the biggest drop is the star, but you’ll get multiple rope moments, not just one.
• Optional jumps and water slides: several pool sections let you jump, slide, or choose a calmer alternative.
• About 20 minutes of approach time: a dirt road + levada walk warms you up and builds momentum before the canyon action.
• Guides Jose and Bruno lead with humor and technique: they’re known for making you feel confident while keeping safety front and center.
• Photos included: you don’t have to stop your flow every time the scenery gets ridiculous.
• Equipment, insurance, and transfers are part of the deal: the $61 price covers the setup, not just the guiding.

Nuns Valley Level 2: What You’re Really Signing Up For

This is Madeira canyoning in the Nuns Valley, also known as Curral das Freiras. Level 2 is the “more adventure” step up: you’re looking at rapels in the 10–15 meter range, plus bigger waterfalls and jump options than the entry level. The vibe is outdoorsy, hands-on, and water-based—less sightseeing from a bus, more getting part of the landscape up close.

What I like most for your planning is that Level 2 is built around choice. You’ll face jumps or pool sections where you can decide how hard you push. Even if you end up skipping one or two moments, the core experience still delivers: rope descents, natural slides, and refreshing pools along a guided route.

The biggest “gotcha” is also the most straightforward: it’s physical. You’ll be wet, climbing over slick sections, and moving between obstacles with a bit of effort. If you’re the type who needs everything to be effortless, this may feel like work before it feels like fun. But if you’re even moderately active, the day tends to click fast.

CR7 Museum Pickup and Getting to Curral das Freiras

Transportation matters on canyoning days because you’re not just dressing up—you’re coordinating timing, gear, and a remote trail. The tour offers pickup tied to Funchal’s area, including the CR7 Museum road side. If you’re staying near the CR7 hotel, that’s one option; there’s also transfer available from Ponta do Sol.

If you have a car, you’ll find it simpler to drive yourself and aim for the Capela de São Rafael meeting spot (with free parking mentioned as part of the convenience). Pickups are confirmed the day before, which is exactly what you want: it reduces guesswork and keeps you from standing around wondering where the group is.

Once everyone’s together, the canyon rhythm starts. You’re not waiting around for long explanations—your guide’s briefing and the route flow into each other.

The 20-Minute Levada Walk That Sets the Mood

Before the rope and water, you’ll walk around 20 minutes on a dirt road and along a levada. That might sound like filler, but it’s useful. It helps you warm up gently, and it also gives you a feel for the terrain before you commit to the most technical parts.

This approach also sets the expectation that you’re in real Madeira nature, not just an activity placed inside it. Even from the walk, you get those mountain views you’ll keep seeing during the canyon sections. It’s a good reminder that this experience isn’t only about abseiling—it’s about moving through the canyon as the scenery changes around you.

Practical tip: treat this walk like part of the workout. If you show up already cold or stiff, you’ll feel it more once you hit the water. A little hydration and keeping your energy steady helps.

Rappels and Abseils: Four Rope Moments, Including the 15-Meter Drop

Now for the main event: abseiling. This Level 2 route includes four rope descents, with the highest rappel reaching 15 meters. That’s the moment you’ll talk about later, because a taller drop changes how your body reacts even when you’ve been taught everything carefully.

The key detail for your expectations is that the day isn’t just one dramatic abseil and done. You’ll have multiple rappels, so you get repetition: you learn the motions once, then you see how they apply to different drops. That makes the day feel more like a guided progression and less like a single test.

As for the height overall, the route’s max drop range is typically described as 10–15 meters, with the largest rappel called out at 15 meters. You can expect the rope sections to be the most technical part of the canyoning, and that’s why good coaching matters.

I’d plan mentally for this: the rope descents are where you’ll be focused—breathing, listening, and staying aware of placement. If you tend to get anxious when you can’t see the ground clearly, the guide’s step-by-step instruction is the difference between coping and enjoying.

Optional Jumps, Jump-and-Slide Pools, and How You Can Control Your Day

One of the best parts of this route is how you can tailor the adrenaline to your comfort. You’ll encounter several refreshing pools and water spots where you can jump and slide. Some are optional, and the whole point of Level 2 is that you can push a bit more than Level 1 without feeling trapped.

This is where the guide team makes a huge difference. In the feedback I absorbed from the experience details you provided, Jose and Bruno keep the mood light while they coach technique. They don’t just say do it—they explain what to watch, when to commit, and how to land or enter water safely.

Here’s how you can use that to plan:

• If you want the full adrenaline rush, you’ll likely take most jumps.
• If you want the rope and scenery but your comfort zone is smaller, you can still participate in the rest of the route by choosing alternatives at pool moments.

Either way, you still get the core canyoning “loop”: descend, move, slide/jump (optionally), then gear up for the next challenge.

Guides, Safety, and the Confidence Factor That Makes Level 2 Work

Safety in canyoning isn’t one thing—it’s a system: proper equipment, qualified guidance, solid instructions, and group coordination. This experience includes all required equipment plus a qualified guide and insurance. The guide’s job is to keep you safe while also making the activity feel doable.

What stands out in the experience info you shared is how often the coaching is described as both professional and encouraging. That matters because Level 2 asks more from you than the easiest routes: higher rappels, bigger jump options, and more physical movement. If you’re worried about feeling overwhelmed, these guides are used to that exact emotion—and they appear to respond with clarity and humor.

You’ll also notice that the group dynamic tends to be a mix of personalities. Some people run toward the jumps; others hang back and watch first. The good news is that Level 2 is set up so you can still get a real adventure without forcing yourself into every single moment.

One more safety note from the rules you were given: alcohol and drugs are not allowed. Keep your body ready to move and listen, because this day is about skill and control, not buzz.

What’s Included in the $61 Price (and What You’ll Pay for Yourself)

At $61 per person for about four hours, this has decent value because you’re not paying separately for the equipment setup and the organization. Included items are the big-ticket pieces that usually add up on adventure tours:

• all required equipment
• transfer from CR7 hotel or Ponta do Sol
• qualified guide
• insurance
• photos

The included photos are a sneaky value boost. Canyoning days are chaotic in the best way, and it’s tough to capture the dramatic moments when you’re focused on rope technique and water entry. Having those images covered means you can actually remember the day without risking your safety for a phone angle.

What’s not included is also important for planning:

• towels
• swimwear (you’re expected to bring it)
• changing rooms

So you’ll want to treat the “wet and changing” part as your responsibility. Bring your towel and wear swimwear you don’t mind getting used hard. If you need privacy or a quick change setup, plan ahead by using what’s available near your meeting point.

Before You Book: Sizes, Fit, and Simple Rules You’ll Need to Follow

This tour asks you to send sizing details in advance. You’ll need to provide:

• height (in cm)
• weight (in kg)
• shoe size (EU)
• age

That isn’t busywork—it’s usually how the team fits gear for comfort and safety. If you’re traveling with a partner and swapping footwear between you, don’t. Send the actual sizes so you get the correct setup.

You should also know what’s not suitable. Pregnant women are listed as not appropriate for this activity. That’s the kind of rule you should take seriously without trying to “make exceptions.”

Finally, check your own day-of readiness. Level 2 includes higher rappels and jump options, and the rules still prioritize safe movement. If you’re dealing with injury, dizziness, or a condition that affects balance, you should think carefully before signing up—even if the jumps are optional.

The Real Experience: What the Day Feels Like from Start to Finish

Here’s what your experience day is likely to feel like, step by step:

1. You meet at the CR7 Museum area or another pickup point (Capela de São Rafael is a key reference spot).
2. You drive into the canyon region and do a short lead-in with your guide.
3. You walk about 20 minutes along dirt and a levada, getting warm and settled.
4. You gear up and begin the canyon route with rope descents—four abseils total.
5. You move through water sections with refreshing pools, where jumps and slides are part of the fun, but not necessarily mandatory.
6. You finish the guided tour and head back to the drop-off point near Capela de São Rafael.

The best part for many people is that it’s not repetitive adrenaline. You’re switching between focus-heavy rope technique and freer water moments like sliding and controlled jumping. That contrast keeps the day engaging from the first rappel to the last pool.

And yes, there are memorable views throughout. The canyon experience includes mountain views all the way through, so you get both physical excitement and scenery payoff in the same package.

Who Should Choose Madeira Nuns Valley Level 2 (and Who Should Skip It)

This Level 2 canyoning tour makes the most sense for:

• you if you’ve done nothing like this before, but you’re eager to follow instructions and try
• you if you want more challenge than a beginner-only route
• you if you enjoy being outside, moving through water, and learning skills instead of just watching

It might not be ideal if:

• you’re not comfortable with wet gear and a physical effort level
• you’re pregnant (explicitly not suitable)
• you’re looking for a mostly chill nature walk with no rope focus

If you’re a bit nervous about jumps, you’re still in the right place—Level 2 gives you options. The rope work, the guidance, and the overall structure are what make it work even when you don’t want every single jump.

Also, if you’re traveling in a group with different comfort levels, this kind of route usually handles it better than you’d expect because the guide can coach and adjust at the pool moments.

Should You Book This Canyoning Tour?

If you want a true Madeira adventure day that combines a 15-meter rappel, rope coaching, and water play—with photos included—this is a strong pick. The $61 price feels fair because you’re getting more than a guide: you’re getting equipment, insurance, transfers, and picture documentation.

I’d book it if you’re ready for a wet, active outing and you can follow instructions closely. You’ll likely leave feeling proud, even if you don’t take every jump.

I’d hesitate if you expect something gentle. Level 2 is adventurous by design, and the day is still physically demanding even when you choose softer options at the water.

FAQ

How high is the highest rappel on this Madeira Nuns Valley Level 2 canyoning?

The highest rappel reaches 15 meters, and the route’s maximum height is typically described in the 10–15 meter range.

How long is the canyoning experience?

The total duration is about 4 hours, with the guided tour lasting around 3.5 hours.

Where does pickup happen for this tour?

Pickup options include the Capela de São Rafael area near the CR7 Museum, and transfers are also offered from the CR7 hotel road side area and from Ponta do Sol. Drop-off options include the Capela de São Rafael / CR7 Museum area.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel.

Do I need to send sizes before the activity?

Yes. You’ll need to send height (cm), weight (kg), shoe size (EU), and age.

Are the jumps mandatory?

The route includes several optional jumps, so you can choose how much to do based on your comfort level.

What languages will the guide speak?

The live guide speaks English, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Is this tour suitable for pregnant women?

No. Pregnant women are listed as not suitable for this activity.

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