28 June 2016 Levada do Castelejo, de Baixo, de Baixo sup. and da Serra

Course

From Terra do Baptista against the flow of the Levada do Castelejo, past the junction to the Levada do Castelejo sup. as far as the Madre, ascent to the intake at Pedra Rachada, back to the Madre and ascent to Lombo Grande, descent to the Madre of the Levada de Baixo, ascent path to Pico do Cedro Gordo, to the Madre of the Levada de Baixo sup., back to the lower levada and on to Sao Roque de Faial, descent on the Vereda da Faja to the Ribeira de Sao Roque de Faial, on the small path to Cancela, ascent on roads and linking paths to the start, and once more to the Levada do Castelejo sup.

On the drive back, a stop at the end of the Levada da Serra, along it to the crossing with the ER-103 and on until the levada runs through the meadow, back to the ER-103 and along it back to the reservoir at the end of the small levada

Distance:

Castelejo circuit: 17.5 km, 1100 m of ascent, 1100 m of descent

Levada da Serra: 2.2 km, 60 m of ascent, 60 m of descent

Start: 09.18 Terra de Baptista

End

15.25 Terra de Baptista

Start: 16.01 End of the Levada da Serra

16.50 End of the Levada da Serra

Condition

Levada mostly easy; a few spots are somewhat exposed and usually well protected, though in a few places the protection is a little damaged

Ascent to Pedra Rachada very steep, exposed and in places unprotected, dangerous especially on the descent

Ascent to Lombo Grande and descent to Sao Roque easy

Levada de Baixo sup. a little narrow, but not dangerous

Vereda da Faja very steep as far as the Ribeira, then in places narrow and somewhat exposed; ascent to Terra Baptista easy but steep

Levada da Serra very narrow with overhangs, very exposed and unpleasant to walk; after the road crossing, very exposed and dangerous

Notes

Exciting, but not without danger, out to the superb place at Pedra Rachada; the Levada da Serra is demanding