25 August 2017 On the Vereda Pau Branco from Ginjas to Estanquinhos

Course

From the end of the road in Ginjas on the gravel track to the Levada da Faja do Rodrigues, in the direction of flow past the inflow of the Faja da Ama tunnel, the crossing of the large stream works at the eastern side branch of the Ribeira dos Pombos and the exposed crossing of the western side branch of the Ribeira dos Pombos through the two short tunnels, after about 300 metres left onto the Vereda do Pau Branco. Ascent to the stream crossing of the Ribeira do Passo, from here steeply up beside countless small pools and basins to a small cave made by hand. Here the path divides: to the south-west, around the cave (passing the cave on the right, from below), the direct ascent continues; to the south, passing the cave on the left, the path ends below the exit of the seventh tunnel of the Levada do Norte. With a short bit of climbing you reach the levada.

The way back to the Vereda Pau Branco goes, looking against the direction of flow, up to the right of the tunnel exit and, exposed, directly above the tunnel entrance, south and then west, until you are on the Vereda again.

On, steeply up, to the Levada do Plaino Velho. Against the former direction of flow through 9 tunnels to the former Madre. Then an easier descent and the crossing of the eastern arm of the western main branch of the Ribeira do Inferno, at first clearly descending, then climbing again towards the south-west, until you come to the cutting of the western arm of the western main branch of the Ribeira do Inferno. From here steeply up again on the ridge through laurel forest, then through a maze of tree heath and finally through fern fields to the Paul da Serra. On the gravel track and wide paths to the Pico Ruivo do Paul. And, as an almost-final point, right up onto the trig point.

From here on a good path back to the Estanquinhos forestry house.

Distance: 10.5 Km, 1300 m of ascent, 1300 m of descent

Start: 11.00 Ginjas

End

18.30 Estanquinhos

Condition

The Levada da Faja do Rodrigues is, as always, somewhat exposed around the Ribeira dos Pombos, but no problems

The first part of the Vereda Pau Branco is very steep and slippery, with a few scrambles as far as the crossing of the Ribeira do Passo.

The section from the Levada da Faja do Rodrigues to the Ribeira do Passo corresponds to an old feeder levada, but it can now be made out only in fragments!

The difficult route-finding that presented itself in 2015 was much easier because I had walked it the other way in 2015. I also have the feeling that the path was a little clearer than 2 years ago. Do not go further than 20 metres west of the Ribeira do Passo! After that the path is actually unambiguous.

Around the cave we had actually meant to take the direct ascent, but because I had come from above last time I missed that path and here we followed the clearer one and landed on the Norte. That is interesting in so far as I have now sampled every possible way of getting onto the Norte....

The ascent from the Norte to the Vereda is a little unclear and not very inviting, but not as dangerous as it looks at first glance.

The onward path from the Madre of the Levada do Plaino Velho is not visible at first glance. You have to step back a little from the waterfall into the green, then you see the traces of the path leading steeply down. After the stream crossing the path is not very difficult.

Notes

A demanding walk, which I had not yet done in this direction from the Levada da Faja do Rodrigues to the Levada do Plaino Velho. The other way (2015) I find it less strenuous, but much less pleasant, especially the lowest part. The upper part, from the Madre of the Levada do Plaino Velho to the Paul da Serra, I had already done once in 2015; the quality of the path is essentially as good as it was.

Thanks: heartfelt thanks to Issi and Piet for the pleasant company; see also Issi's walk report