25 July 2015 3 Levadas around Ginjas

Course

Ginjas, Levada da Ginjas, untended and fallen into ruin from the new Madre, turn back to Ginjas, drive to Lanço, on the Levada do Lanço as far as the Madre, back as far as the end and to the car. Drive to Ribeira do Passo, on the Levada da Ribeira do Passo first to the Madre, then back and as far as the end in Faja do Amo. Drive back to Ribeira do Passo with a friendly farmer!

Distance: 17 Km, 300 Hm ascent, 300 Hm descent

Start: 11.40 Ginjas

End

16.30 Faja do Amo

Condition

An easy walk; the Levada da Ginjas has fallen into ruin after the current Madre and is hard or not passable at all (slope slips, fallen trees, and so on).

The Levada do Lanço has two or three somewhat exposed, slippery spots which, with due care, are no problem; otherwise very fine! The climb to the Levada da Ginjas and on to the Levada da Faja do Rodrigues by the path marked on the maps is no longer possible (overgrown!). There is, though, a way up from the Madre directly to the Levada da Faja do Rodrigues.

The Levada da Ribeira do Passo is in places a little overgrown and prickly, but no problem to walk, a great view of the lower Sao Vicente valley

Notes

A scouting walk to see the current state of the 3 levadas. I had actually hoped to get, on the Levada da Ginjas, as far as the waterfall visible from afar. At the Madre of the Levada do Lanço you are already too low, in the stream bed!