Daniel’s Levada Directory
1 July 2018 Circuit of the Levada dos Tornos and the Levada da Serra do Faial between Camacha and Choupana
Also known as Tour 2018-07-01 Levada dos Tornos und Serra do Faial Azenha
Archival documentation — not a current hiking recommendation. Source file on danishome.ch last modified: 12 June 2020
Course
Descent from Nogueira on the narrow alternative access from the south-east to the water house of the Levada dos Tornos. On the levada against the direction of flow to Choupana. Ascent on the Caminho do Meio to the football stadium and on to the end of the Levada da Serra do Faial. On this as far as Rochao, a look at the old tunnel, descent on the Levada do Poco do Arvoredo past the Moinho do Rochão to the ER-110, on this to Camacha and on to the start.
Distance: 30 Km, 200 m of ascent, 200 m of descent
Start: 09.00 Nogueira
End
16.40 Nogueira
Condition
A pleasant walk without particular difficulties. The Pinheirinho tunnel can be bypassed.
Notes
For reasons of levada history, and out of respect for the planning and the craft of the levada builders, the Levada da Serra do Faial is really a must, even though it has largely lost its importance. The last part, from the Caminho do Meio against the direction of flow, is now only a walking path with a ruined and filled-in levada bed. From the last large offtake the channel is clean and it seems that a little water still flows at times; the vertical connection also looks intact.
The undercrossing of the Levada do Blandy is interesting, as are further water offtakes and various levada and road crossings. The littered Rochao tunnel, which is no longer accessible, looks a little bleak.
Overall, though, a fine, easy-going walk on both of the great levadas.