6 May 2019 Over Pico da Coroa and Boca do Risco

Course

We parked the car at the turnoff of the Caminho do Mostardal (on old maps also Mostradal). On the Caminho into the head of the valley, on a road and later a track; from the stream crossing, on a somewhat overgrown path to the end of the Levada da Fajazinha. Along it to the reservoir.

From here, on the path restored for the trail run (Vereda do Lombinho), very steeply up the Lombinho to the Estrada Florestal da Serra das Funduras, to the open end of the side branch of the Levada da Portela (where the piping to the Madre of the Levada do Poco do Arvoredo begins).

On along the forest track northwards to the highest point. Here a turnoff onto the path to the Cabeco da Lapa, a little hard to make out at the start. Descent to the Caminho da Degolada, on along the ridge to the Pico da Coroa, descent to the geodetic marker of the Larano and on to the Casa das Funduras.

On along the forest track, past the frog pond, to the end, and a short stretch on the path. On the Lombo do Pico do Furado, a short but in places steep descent to the viewpoint over Ribeira Seca (geocache).

Back to the main ridge and down the path, disfigured by mountain bikes and in places only laborious to walk, to the steep cliff above the north coast. On to the Boca do Risco.

On the footpath (Vereda do Lorano) to the cable car in Larano. Descent on a trail and stepped path to the Levada do Poco do Arvoredo, on it to Cancela, a short stretch of road, and on by paths and levadas past the rock caves to Maiata de Baixo. On the Caminho da Praia da Maiata (Caminho dos Muros) back to the start.

Distance: 20.7 km, 1085 m of ascent, 1085 m of descent

Start: 10.20 Maiata

End

18.25 Maiata

Condition

The Vereda do Lombinho is in good condition, very steep in places, but often with stone steps. Definitely better uphill than down, especially when wet.

The path over the Cabeco da Lapa and the Pico da Coroa is not an official path, but it can always be followed clearly and is in surprisingly good condition. Shortly before the Larano a path seems to bypass the geodetic marker to the west.

The path over the Lombo do Pico do Furado has clearly been tidied, and the continuation from the miradouro down to the Levada do Canical also seems to have been cleared.

As already mentioned, the descent to the steep cliffs and the Boca do Risco is extremely eroded by mountain bikes and very demanding on slippery ground. It is not exposed, but not recommended when wet. And again, better uphill.

The Vereda do Larano (the north-coast path, listed in many walking guides) is perfectly protected and entirely straightforward.

From the cable car, rather than the road, descend on trail paths and along the Levada do Poco do Arvoredo. The descent we walked 2 years earlier, directly after the cable car (Walk 2017), was completely overgrown. Further on, a stairway leads down onto the levada, and from there there is also a concreted side path.

From the Caminho do Boqueirao a path leads down, concreted at first and later narrow. It finally joins a small levada that passes south around the small summit with the rock caves and then becomes an old paved path to the road.

Remarks

A walk that is demanding on fitness, without particular technical difficulties or dangerous passages. As always, take the descents carefully.

The path over the Cabeco da Lapa and the Pico da Coroa is very fine: many ferns and, now and then, breathtaking views to the west, but otherwise mostly in woodland with no view, and in return with wonderful vegetation.

The miradouro on the Lombo do Pico do Furado is an insider tip of the Caminheiros do Barrete de Orelhas.