10 June 2022 A strenuous opening walk in the north

Course

From the crossing with the Levada das Faias, against the flow along the levada as far as the turn-off of the linking path upwards.

At first quite steep in places, over old fields, then in the wood as far as the Levada dos Tornos.

On this as far as the levada house, a short visit to the waterfall and the tunnel entrance.

Descent on the track and climb on the Moquinhas to the Canario path.

On this, descent to the Boca das Voltas and on, on the mule path miraculously cleaned in its lower part (preparation for the Festa das Sopas walk), to the Levada das Faias.

On this, again against the flow, back to the start.

Distance: 13.8 km, 750 m of ascent, 750 m of descent

Start: 10.50 Lamaceiros

End

18.05 Lamaceiros

Condition

The Levada das Faias is actually no problem to walk, but it is narrow in places.

The climb to the Levada dos Tornos is steep in places and would be quite slippery on the way down.

The Moquinhas climb is choked with tree trunks at the start, but you get over them, under them or past them relatively well. Then it gets steadily steeper, but it is good to walk.

The descent from the Boca das Voltas is actually well maintained in itself; the radical cleaning here was perhaps a bit too much.

Remarks

The steep climbs are sweat-inducing; views really only from the Levada dos Tornos and the Boca das Voltas