5 August 2014 Hortela waterfall

Course

Chao da Ribeira — climb up to the Levada do Seixal, against the direction of flow to the Madre, in the direction of flow to the Hortela waterfall, the first tunnel and as far as the long tunnel, descent to Chao da Ribeira before the tunnel

Distance: ca. 9 km ca 450 Hm

Start 11.10 Chao da Ribeira

End

17.20 Chao da Ribeira

Condition

The access to the climb is somewhat buried at the Madre of the small levada; otherwise always follow the stream bed as far as the cairn, cross the river there, the climb is steep but in good condition, Levada do Seixal, wet and crowded as usual, but easy to walk. The traverse before the Hortela waterfall is very exposed, but secured with a solid wire rope — walk carefully! The descent goes up and down at the start and is a steeper descent at the end; one spot is secured with a rubber-coated fixed rope

Notes

A beautiful, wild, lonely area with an imposing waterfall