10 August 2015 Levada do Norte and Barbinhas ascent

Course

Start on the ER-209 on Paul da Serra, on a gravel track to Lombo das Barbinhas, descent on the access path to the levada house on the Levada do Norte, on the Levada do Norte downstream to the big gorge, the first long tunnel, ascent to the small feeder levadas, unsuccessful search for the path to Terra Cha, back to the Levada do Norte, back to the levada house and to the car

Distance: 21.2 Km, 810 Hm ascent, 810 Hm descent

Start: 10.20 ER-209

End

19.20 ER-209

Condition

Descent to the Levada do Norte moderately difficult, slippery when wet; Levada do Norte wide and well protected, but with some strongly exposed spots (big gorge); at the northernmost point of the Levada do Norte very exposed and wet; ascent moderately difficult, exposed and without protection; the first feeder levada ends after 50 metres; ascent via traces of a path and access to a second levada; after about 500 metres it ends in a vertical rock face

Remarks

According to the walk report of the Caminheiros do Barrete de Orelhas, access from this spot to Terra Cha is possible. We checked every junction and every possibility, but did not find the path!