2 August 2015 Levada dos Tornos and the Faias

Course

On PR 2 to the crossing with the Levada dos Tornos, upstream to the Madre, back downstream to the levada house above Faja do Penedo, descent on the gravel track to Lamaceiros and onto the Levada das Faias, on this upstream to the Madre, a short dip in the Ribeira do Porco and back on a farm track to the car

Distance: 22.2 Km, 290 Hm ascent, 290 Hm descent

Start: 09.20 Lombo do Urzal

End

17.15 Lombo do Urzal

Condition

The Levada dos Tornos is in perfect condition, though there is no protection and the levada is at times very exposed. The path is wide enough, though, that hikers who are not entirely comfortable with heights will still feel at ease here. The Levada das Faias has a few very exposed spots around the key section; even quite experienced walkers, such as the Amigos da Natureza, the Caminheiros do Barrete de Orelhas and we ourselves, simply walk in the levada there and not beside it!

Remarks

We had already done this walk 3 years earlier; we liked it so much that this time we took it on again, with the section to the Madre of the Levada dos Tornos. Truly very varied and scenic!