The waterfall on Flore's most powerful river, the Grande, is just a few hundred metres from the more famous Cascata da Ribeira do Ferreiro.

Over 180 metres high, the waterfall falls from an almost perpendicular cliff and then flows straight down a raging steep river to the village of Fajãzinha, where it empties into the sea.

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Unlike the Cascata da Ribeira do Ferreiro, there is no pool below this waterfall.

The highest waterfall on the island

At 180 metres, the Cascata da Ribeira Grande is the highest large waterfall on Flores and can be reached on foot.

It is by no means the most visited, as it is further from the road than the more famous Ribeira do Ferreiro or Bacalhau.

The road to the waterfall

The walking route to the Ribeira Grande waterfall is longer than other famous waterfalls on the island and also a little more challenging.

Park your car near the Sobre Bridge and Ribeira Grande or in the car park 200 metres away.

Walk up the wide forest path along the river. There is currently (2025) a tarmac access road being built to improve access to the waterfall. Follow this wide and convenient path for about 15 minutes to where the new parking lot will be built.

From there, you'll be roughly another 20 minutes on a very rocky path marked by stone cairns. The trail is not long and doesn't require particularly great physical strength, but dexterity and good shoes certainly do.

In some places you have to literally jump on the stones or climb high steps.