2 August 2021 Over 5 levadas around Camacha

Course

We started where the Levada da Serra do Faial crosses the Caminho Municipal da Portela. On the nicely built levada as far as Rochao. This time the tunnel entrance of the Rochao tunnel of the Levada da Serra do Faial was not choked with rubbish, but it is still rather unpleasant to climb down into it.

Climb on the Rua da Igreja to the end tank of the Levada do Pico do Arvoredo. On along the road and then between the houses along the partly piped levada. I had already been here in 2017 (On the trail of the Levada do Pico do Arvoredo) and remembered this levada as very authentic. But the original, special levada, with its high embankment and the deeply cut channel, has become a gravel track with the levada piped. The view of Ribeiro Serrao and its terraces is still very fine, though.

So on along the track to the Madre, which also looks completely different: concrete works, and a tunnel that was not walkable in 2017 was now passable crawling. At least that.

The descent towards Ponte do Pau is even signposted, then up on the steep Caminho Jose Arnaldo Vieira to the bridge that leads to the Fonte Perigosa. In a small wooded, rocky area several springs are taken here and, with an ingenious Levadinha system cut into the rock, collected in several Poços. The water is led either straight onto the fields below or into the Levada da Fonte Perigosa. A curious sight, the clock standing completely unexpectedly in the wood, which presumably regulated the irrigation times.

A fascinating area, but not entirely without danger: the paths are slippery and steep, and the climb to the uppermost spring is relatively dangerous! Watch out!

After a longer stay at this fascinating place, on along the Levada da Fonte Perigosa, with fine views of the other side of the valley, then down to the road, which was actually built on the bed of the Levada da Serra do Faial. At some point the levada runs in the open again, away from the road: a wider, unproblematic path with a fine old levada bridge. We stayed on it as far as the crossing with the Levada do Pico das Eiroses, where the water of the Levada da Serra do Faial is taken. In truth this old, beautiful levada no longer has any function and is really only kept up for tourists.

Descent on the Levada do Pico das Eiroses as far as Aguas Mansas and on around the Pico das Eiroses to the water house, with a gigantic empty Poço and the branch off via the stepped path. It is not possible to walk it any further, because it continues as a stream, but at the steep step we found a kind of mill tower.

A short time later we were on the Levada dos Tornos. After the first tunnel we crossed the Levada do Pico do Gaula, which, unlike last time (2019), seemed nicely spruced up.

On along the Levada dos Tornos on the very interesting section through 3 tunnels and over the bridge across the Ribeira do Poto Novo, after which the characteristic water pipes appear.

After the last tunnel it was very steep and very tiring back up through the centre of Camacha, and on the Caminho Municipal da Portela, past the old water house of the Levada do Pico do Arvoredo, back to the start.

Distance: 19.9 km, 600 m of ascent, 600 m of descent

Start: 09.50 Camacha

End

16.25 Camacha

Condition

The Levada da Serra do Faial is absolutely unproblematic.

The Levada do Pico do Arvoredo has lost much of its charm after the building work. Around the Madre you need to be a little careful.

The Levada da Fonte Perigosa is not entirely without danger around the Madre; the levada itself is unproblematic.

The Levada do Pico das Eiroses is a little overgrown on the descent to Aguas Mansas; if you want, you can take the track from halfway. Otherwise unproblematic.

The Levada dos Tornos is not to be underestimated: it drops quite steeply beside the levada and you have to watch where you put your feet.

Remarks

The Fonte Perigosa alone makes this circuit an experience.