Daniel’s Levada Directory
11 June 2022 A demanding circuit over the Rosto Branco
Also known as Tour 2022-06-11 Rosto Branco
Archival documentation — not a current hiking recommendation. Source file on danishome.ch last modified: 18 July 2022
Course
Climb on the small path starting shortly before the tunnel portal to the Levada da Faja do Rodrigues. Here we admired the levadeiros' passion for planting up the levadas. Here you also see the outlet of the collecting basin, which sits behind the big wall, to the Levada dos Agrioes.
On the climb to the Levada do Norte, once fine but now degenerated into a downhill track, along the Levada dos Agrioes as far as its turn-off over a stream-training structure.
On this a short stretch as far as the signposted turn ("Levada Velha do Folhadal"), which we wanted to visit 2 days later. On along the levada as far as the 2nd Madre of the Levada dos Agrioes.
From here, after a short stretch of wood, you walk along an old ruined levada, which finally leads to the first Madre of the Levada dos Agrioes.
From here we wandered a bit too far eastwards and upwards, which did, though, bring us to a first giant laurel. From here to the even bigger giant. Once you have finally found the start on the rock face, the path is clear right to the end.
First steeply upwards, and then always a little up and down over several stream courses. The further east you go, the better the path becomes; in the end it is a track, overgrown though, which leads to the forestry house at Chao da Relva.
Descent on one of the newly laid Chao dos Louros circuits and finally on the PR21 as far as the dreadful dust track, which leads west to the Encumeada pass road.
From here on the Caminho do Quebra Panelas to Rosario and back to the start.
Distance: 10.5 km, 620 m of ascent, 620 m of descent
Start: 10.00 Rosario
End
16.15 Rosario
Condition
The climb to the Levada da Faja do Rodrigues is in good condition.
The Levada dos Agrioes is narrow, but not difficult to walk.
The climb after the Madre of the Levada dos Agrioes is hard to find in places; now and then you see marks cut in the trees. A GPS track is helpful.
Especially on the way down, the rock section is dangerous, particularly when it has rained.
Remarks
Route-finding can be difficult if the path has not been walked for a long time!