3 August 2013 Aguas dos Tornos

Course

From the end of the road follow the gravel track, over the old bridge across the Ribeira do Pisao to the Levada dos Tornos, against the direction of flow to the end of the Faja da Nogueira tunnel (Centro tematico da Agua), back to the Ribeira do Pisao, climb to the lower and upper Tornos springs, a little way back and climb to the Levada do Barreiro, against the direction of flow to the road, eastwards to the Levada das Cales, descent along it on the old course to the ER-103, then on the current course to the upper station of the Jardim Botanico-Monte cable car, descent into the valley of the Ribeira de Joao Gomes, climb to the Levada dos Tornos and through the long Monte tunnel to the Ribeira do Pisao, back to the starting point

Start 10.15 Corujeira

End

17.45 Corujeira

Condition

Levada dos Tornos somewhat exposed in the Ribeira do Pisao area, but it can be bypassed; climb to the springs a little overgrown, but straightforward; the lower Tornos spring is recommended only for experienced walkers with a completely reliable head for heights (risk of a fall); climb to the Levada do Barreiro somewhat exposed, but well protected; the rest straightforward; the Levada das Cales can be followed until shortly above the cable car; Tornos tunnel relatively spacious, but wet underfoot

Notes

A fascinating trip through the water history of Madeira