28 July 2015 Levada do Boqueirao and Espigao

Course

1. Parked one car in Espigao, with the 2nd car to Fontes, Levada Boqueirao, Madre, ascent to the gravel track on the western side of the valley, Pico da Cruz, attempt at the descent on the western side of Eira do Grilo, path no longer passable, back to the gravel track and descent to Fontes, and at the end back in Espigao

Distance: 13 Km, 650 Hm ascent, 650 Hm descent

Start: 10.15 Fontes

End

17.10 Fontes

Condition

The Levada Boqueirao is relatively easy to walk; one spot shortly before the Madre is somewhat exposed, but it can be bypassed on the uphill side by a trodden path.

The ascent over the old terraces, no longer cultivated, is a little hard to find and in places somewhat crumbly.

Easy on the gravel track as far as Pico da Cruz, and likewise the descent to Fontes.

The descent towards Espigao is easy at first, then becomes increasingly overgrown, and after the first Lombo it is no longer passable, despite being easy to follow by eye from a distance.

Remarks

After studying the walk of the Amigos da Natureza we ventured the descent, but without their clearing party we had no chance in the bramble thicket, unfortunately!