Daniel’s Levada Directory

11 August 2021 Palha Carga and the Levada da Rocha Vermelha once again

Also known as Tour 2021-08-11 CargaPalhaRochaVermelha

Archival documentation — not a current hiking recommendation. Source file on danishome.ch last modified: 11 January 2024

Course

We started where the PR13 crosses the ER209. After a short stretch on the PR13 we came to the signpost of the PR13.1, which leads down over the Palha Carga to the 25 springs. I had already walked this path before the restoration in 2016 (as I had the whole of today's circuit); I actually found the path quite walkable then. The steps, railings and the bridge put in today I find almost a bit unnecessary.

Descent over the Palha Carga and over the bridge across the Ribeira dos Cedros to the Levada Vinte e Cinco Fontes. I still went briefly to the Madre, which I had already liked very much last time, with its cave at the waterfall; this time I scrambled across into the stream bed on the rather slippery stone steps. Here there is a pretty waterfall with a small Poço. The whole business around the Madre is not without danger: the stretch here is very narrow, exposed and always wet.

On along the levada stretch, wider again, and over the fine stone bridge to the waterfall at the 25 springs, as always well visited.

Despite the big crowd: this place is fascinating and gripping every time.

On in the direction of flow of the levada and descent to the Levada da Rocha Vermelha. A short side trip to the levada house and then against the flow to the confluence with the Levada do Seixal. Here I had a closer look at the intakes on the Ribeira dos Cedros and the Ribeira da Agua Negra. Careful: the approach to the intake on the Ribeira da Agua Negra is very slippery, narrow and exposed!

Then on along the Levada da Rocha Vermelha via Adeneiro as far as the foot of the levada steps: again and again dreamlike, varied and empty of people. The stream crossing at Adeneiro has now been better secured too; the path here is no problem now!

Climb on the Stairway to Heaven, with the fine viewpoint halfway, at the place where you leave the levada for a short while. The stream crossing below the Fonte da Agua do Queijo takes some getting used to, as always, and it used to be wider and less slippery too! Then the current Madre at the St Andrew's cross. The levada is now blocked off with a few branches; the bypass path, though, is in wet conditions almost harder than the way along the levada. I tried both. On the bypass I slipped and wrecked my walking pole. The way along the levada is only to be recommended to people who are used to this sort of thing!

Then comes the steep, partly concreted stretch as far as the turn-off of the path that leads up to the PR13. I still went briefly to the old Madre; people had been working hard here. It seems they want to bring the section from the old Madre to the St Andrew's cross back into use!

Climb on the narrow path with the rock steps. The spot that for years had a tree-heath branch across it is now bypassed with a ladder. The path is, as always, overgrown and narrow, but actually no problem to walk.

The way back on the PR13, always just under the fog line and so with fine views of the other side of the valley and the Rabacal area!

Past the turn-off to the Palha Carga and back to the start.

Distance: 18.5 km, 600 m of ascent, 600 m of descent

Start: 09.25 Fanal road

End

16.50 Fanal road

Condition

The Palha Carga is now well built and, with a little walking experience, no problem to walk.

The area around the Madre of the Levada Vinte e Cinco Fontes is relatively dangerous and is to be walked with great care. The rest of the levada is a motorway!

The descent to the Levada da Rocha Vermelha has also been newly built and is good to walk. The inflows to the end of the Levada do Seixal are to be walked with great care; everything here is very wet and in places steep.

The Levada da Rocha Vermelha has been well restored as far as shortly before the old Madre, often a bit boggy. Adeneiro is no problem. The gorge passage is to be walked with care. At the St Andrew's cross, as I have described, with care on the bypass and with even greater care along the levada!

The climb to the PR13 is, as always, a battle with the tree heath, but always unambiguous. The steps are grippy, but when it is wet you have to take care, especially on the descent. The PR13, as always, well maintained.