9 August 2015 Levada da Faja da Rodrigues and ascent to the Levada do Norte

Course

On the Levada da Faja do Rodrigues downstream to the entrance of the tunnel that leads to the Serra de Agua power station, back upstream to the Madre, back through the long tunnel, and ascent on the connecting path to the Levada do Norte; the path impossible to find along the way, rockfall, back to the Levada da Faja do Rodrigues, back to the car

Distance: 18.1 Km, 210 Hm ascent, 210 Hm descent

Start: 11.25 Achada do Loural

End

18.15 Achada do Loural

Condition

Levada easy as far as the gravel track from Ginjas, 1 S-shaped tunnel; from the gravel track easy at first, then somewhat exposed in the big bowl, after that 2 medium-length and 1 short tunnel; the Ribeiro do Passo section wet and somewhat exposed; the long tunnel to the Madre narrow and low, partly covered with concrete slabs; the section in the Ribeira do Inferno exposed and wet, but good to walk; the ascent on the connecting path in very poor condition, slippery, practically no waymarks, orientation very difficult. (cf. walk of 11.08.2015)

Remarks

After a rockfall, while I was searching for the way on, almost crushed me and badly hurt my calf, we turned back and were glad to arrive safely on the Levada da Faja do Rodrigues.