29 June 2016 To the old course of the Levadinha Joao de Deus and back via the Levada do Pico Ruivo and Serra do Faial

Course

From the gravel track by the power station to the Levada da Serra do Faial, on it to the start of the Pico Ruivo tunnel, a traverse to the start of the pipe of the Levadinha Joao de Deus across the Ribeira Seca, to the Madre of the Levadinha, a little back and down to the old Levadinha, on it through 2 small tunnels to a longer gallery tunnel; here it was not possible to go further (exposed and overgrown). Back against the former direction of flow, past the descent path, until here too it was no longer possible to go on (fallen trees, slipped ground, overgrown), back to the descent path, ascent to the new Levadinha, back to the Pico Ruivo tunnel, in the direction of flow along the Levada da Serra do Faial to the last tunnel, a short outing to the newly built collecting basin (the old one was torn down into the depths by a landslide in 2015), then before the last tunnel a descent past the old basin to the gravel track, and on it back to the start

Distance: 12 km, 200 m of ascent, 200 m of descent

Start: 10.25 gravel track, Faja da Nogueira

End

16.50 gravel track, Faja da Nogueira

Condition

Levada da Serra do Faial easy as far as the Pico Ruivo tunnel

The traverse to the pipe has slipped, but without major problems

Levadinha de Joao de Deus narrow and exposed, with protection (a head for heights and sure footing required)

Old Levadinha overgrown, with slipped ground, and in places dangerous

Levada da Serra do Faial from the ascent path to the collecting basin narrow and exposed, with protection that is damaged in places (a head for heights and sure footing required)

Notes

An exciting exploration of the old course of the Levadinha, and not without danger

I had already walked the Levada da Serra do Faial in 2012.