30 June 2016 Rabacal 2016

Course

From the PR-13 car park, descent on the ER-209 on the old path into the gorge of the Ribeira dos Cedros and to the Madre of the Levada Vinte e Cinco Fontes, on it past the 25 springs to just before the descent to the Ribeira Grande; here along the feeder levada to the waterfall below the Madre of the Levada do Risco, back to the levada and against the flow to the descent to the Levada da Rocha Vermelha. On it against the flow, past the inflow of the Levada do Seixal, stream crossing at Adeneiro, Stairway to Heaven, the current Madre with the Andrea cross, to the old Madre in the Ribeira da Agua do Vimeiro. A little back and an ascent with an easy scramble to the PR-13. On it back to the start.

Distance: 15.8 Km, 600 m ascent, 600 m descent

Start: 09.50 Paul da Serra

End

16.05 Paul da Serra

Condition

Descent to the Madre of the Levada Vinte e Cinco Fontes surprisingly good

Either an easy scramble onto the levada wall, or a bypass a little downstream

The feeder levada is not entirely without danger, because it is a little slippery and in places exposed

Descent to the Levada da Rocha Vermelha in very good condition

The two levadas are in good condition; the stream crossing at Adeneiro is a little tricky as always; the bypass at the Andrea cross is slippery!

Ascent to the PR-13 a little overgrown as always, but still quite walkable

Remarks

25 Fontes from the other side for once; I had seen the feeder levada in a report by the amigos, and I love the Rocha Vermelha anyway!