12 May 2019 Madeira forum walk and exploring the Levada dos Louros

Course

At Issi's repeated request we moved our forum walk to Lombo do Urzal, so as finally to explore the small Levada dos Louros.

The car park is almost a tradition by now, beside the PR walking board. First a steeper ascent on the PR 2 or CR 27 towards the Levada dos Tornos. We looked for the turn to the Levada dos Louros in the wrong place, because it was drawn incorrectly on OSM (I have corrected it since).

After about 3 metres, though, it is already over. A pipe from the higher Levada dos Tornos also discharges into the levada here, which indicates that from here to the Madre the levada is no longer in use. In the direction of flow, after the crossing, it is in distinctly better condition. A little higher up I then found a path running parallel. We followed it and, after about 100 metres, came back onto the levada. From here it is reasonably walkable again, even if in open ground it is quite overgrown.

As soon as you enter the wood, everything is nicely clear, the levada is in quite good condition, and soon you come to the nicely sited Madre in the Ribeira do Porco.

After crossing the stream we followed the trodden path. I then missed the correct turn onto the lombo, but after another stream crossing and a steep ascent along some human or animal traces we arrived safely on the Levada dos Tornos.

Then on against the direction of flow to the Madre. We also found a small caldeirão. The waterfall at the Madre is very impressive, and you can walk to its foot.

In the direction of flow, on the second-to-last lombo before the ribeira, we saw the neatly spruced-up start of the path to the Madre of the Levada dos Louros!

On to the PR 2 and descent towards Lombo do Urzal. Here we also crossed twice the water pipe that supplies the terminal branch of the Levada dos Louros.

In Lombo do Urzal we found ourselves a pretty little picnic spot.

Distance: 6.3 Km, 230 Hm ascent, 230 Hm descent

Start: 11.20 Lombo do Urzal

End

14.30 Lombo do Urzal

Condition

Ascent on a good path. The trodden path and the Levada dos Louros are in places heavily overgrown. The ascent to the Levada dos Tornos, done this way, is very rough going; on the right path it would presumably be distinctly more comfortable. The Levada dos Tornos is well maintained, as always.

Remarks

I would not give a walking recommendation for the Levada dos Louros. Apart from the beautiful surroundings, which you can enjoy on the Tornos as well, the Madre is certainly tucked away in a lovely spot!

Thanks: Thank you to Issi, Piet, Tanja and Steffen for coming along!