Daniel’s Levada Directory

15 August 2017 Circuit walk at Achadas da Cruz

Also known as Tour 2017-08-15 Achadas da Cruz

Archival documentation — not a current hiking recommendation. Source file on danishome.ch last modified: 12 June 2020

Course

From the upper station on the Vereda do Calhau to Calhau das Achadas da Cruz, as far as the lower station, ascent to the fork on the descent path, then on the Vereda da Ladeira to Pombais, Miradouro Ponta da Ladeira with drinking water (!), along the end branch of the Levada dos Pombais inf. to Miradouro dos Pombais, on along the Levada dos Pombais inf. to its Madre, back and, halfway, on a linking path to the Levada dos Pombais sup., to its Madre via levada steps, past a waterfall to a tunnel that is not possible to walk. Back on the levada to Miradouro dos Pombais, to Pombais and on side roads and a forest path along the piped side branch of the Levada do Brasileiro to the shared course of the Levada do Moinho and the Levada do Brasileiro, which run parallel beside a gravel track. In the direction of flow to the place where the two levadas separate.

Back against the flow along various branches off the Levada do Brasileiro to the place where the Levada do Brasileiro meets the Levada do Moinho from the north. On along the track with the Levada do Moinho, until it too comes out of the wood onto the track. On along the gravel track to Porta da Vila and here back onto the Levada do Moinho. A little in the direction of flow to the crossing with the ER-110, then in the direction of flow along the levada steps, the small rock face and the two crossings of the arms of the Ribeira do Tristao, to the first descent path to Achada da Cruz.

You meet the ER-101 here, and follow it south to the junction for the cable car.

Along the road to the start.

Distance: 16.6 km, 993 m of ascent, 993 m of descent

Start: 10.00 cable-car upper station

End

16.45 cable-car upper station

Condition

The Vereda do Calhau is not entirely without danger, in places slippery and exposed. The Vereda da Ladeira is good to walk in this direction; in the opposite direction (descent) it is not entirely straightforward. Exposed spots before the stream crossing are 'secured' with a railing.

The levadas are narrow in places, but good to walk. Around the Madre of the lower levada it is somewhat exposed, and in the middle section there is a steep spot where you have to scramble a little; slippery on the way down!

From Pombais, and along the Levada do Moinho, easy