18 August 2017 Circuit above Porto da Cruz

Course

Ascent on the Caminho do Lombinho to the first reservoir of the Levada da Fajazinha, first in the direction of flow to where the water is drawn off, then against the direction of flow. A view of the Levada da Maiata with the pipe intake in the Madre area of the Levada da Fajazinha. Past the 2 inlet pipes of the Levada da Fajazinha sup. Madre of the Levada da Fajazinha with a piped inflow from the Levada da Portela. The turn-off to the Levada da Maiata is not accessible. Ascent to the Levada da Nozelha and to its Madre, ascent to the Levada da Fajazinha sup, to its Madre and back to the end, where the pipe to the Levada da Fajazinha begins, descent to the Madre of the Levada da Fajazinha and up again to the Levada da Nozelha, this time in the direction of flow to the road from Pinheiro to Maiata. Here to the end of the Levada da Portela and to the place where the water is branched off to the Levada da Fajazinha and the Levada da Maiata.

Ascent along the Levada da Portela, first open, then piped, then open again; a short detour to the start of the piping; ascent along the Levada da Portela to the Estrada Florestal da Serra das Funduras, against the direction of flow of the Levada da Portela through the small tunnel as far as the first small tunnel to the reservoir on the south side, then again in the direction of flow and on the Vereda das Funduras (PR5) to Funduras, on along the Caminho da Degolada, at the end along the piped Levada da Cova das Pedras to Cova das Pedras, the cable-car station for the Praia do Lorano, on a narrow path to the Levada do Poco do Arvoredo. First to the Madre at the Poco do Arvoredo, then in the direction of flow towards Larano, to the Vereda da Praia do Lorano; the descent path briefly tried; on along the piped Levada do Poco do Arvoredo to the boundary stone, with a view of Porto da Cruz, the Espigao Amarelo and the Penha de Aguia (Geocache Larano - Boqueirão). Back to Larano, along the road to the start.

Distance: 14 Km, 940 m of ascent, 940 m of descent

Start: 10.25 Porto da Cruz

End

17.10 Porto da Cruz

Condition

The Levada da Fajazinha is easy, with a few exposed places, but a wide path, marked with trail-running tape.

The Levada da Nozelha is easy. The Levada da Fajazinha sup is a bit rough and in places awkward to walk; the access is overgrown.

The Levada da Portela is very steep and a little slippery; along the ridge beside the forest road it is no problem. The tunnel is a little wet. The spur tunnel is locked towards the south and very muddy!

The PR5 is very fine, with many impressive tree ferns. The descent on the Caminho da Degolada is in places steep and slippery and not without problems (rotten railings!).

The Levada do Poco do Arvoredo is narrow and somewhat overgrown in the upper part; further down it is no problem. Around the Caminho da Praia do Lorano the levada has broken away (a pipe in its place), as has the whole slope and the start of the descent. For the Praia do Lorano you should definitely have a head for heights and sure footing!

Notes

A very varied walk with beautiful views of the Penha de Aguia and the north coast