13.06.2022 3 neue Levadas westlich von Rosario

Course

Unlike the first walk in this area 2 days ago (walk of 11 June 2022, Rosto Branco), we started directly at the Levada da Faja do Rodrigues. Interesting that on this morning the Levada dos Agrioes was being fed from the collecting basin and the overflow waterfall was inactive.

That was different 2 days ago, and when we returned in the evening it was just the other way round.

A short detour to the entrance of the Tunel da Encumeada of the Levada da Faja do Rodrigues and to the large stream-control works of the Ribeira da Vargem.

Ascent on the same path as 2 days ago to the 2nd Madre of the Levada dos Agrioes, and then, a few metres before the Madre, onto the path signed 'Levada Velha Folhadal', which branches up from the levada. A further sign then cost us almost an hour of uncertainty. The arrow clearly points upwards; there are markings here too, and another board, and finally the rubbish-choked hollow way joins the downhill track from the Levada do Norte. I then went a bit further up, but in the end it simply made no sense. So back down, and by instinct at the arrow board downwards rather than up. The path, almost invisible at first, quickly became clear after the first bend, and the direction made sense now as well.

Now you cross the Levada dos Agrioes for the first time; here it runs as a stream.

The onward path is quite good to walk. At some point you meet the Levada dos Agrioes running in the open; shortly afterwards it comes out of a pipe that hangs from the Madre across the stream bed, which we had already seen 2 days ago.

Here there was also a way in to the Madre. The path continues up along the stream bed and, marked with cairns, crosses the stream. Here there is a board saying that one should take care of nature and that one is in a study area for endemic plants. A bit odd, in this godforsaken spot!

The path now goes both up and down. I went down once more to the Madre on the right bank of the stream, then back to the other side, and on the way back I followed the open levada further until it continues as a stream.

The same way back to the Levada da Faja do Rodrigues and along the cascades to the tunnel. A really comfortable tunnel, high and wide, with an S-bend.

Then on along the wide path beside the levada. At a first open area we dropped down into the unspeakable, stinking industrial landscape and straight on along the track towards Ginjas. Mostly good to walk; in the last section heavily overgrown in places, but still quite doable.

At some point you are standing beside the Levada do Poio. First we explored the gorge passage in the direction of flow, over the bridge; in the open terraces above Ginjas we turned round and followed the lovely little levada against the direction of flow. First comes a small reservoir, then many loops, sometimes on a wide path, sometimes on narrow little walls, sometimes a little overgrown, but never dangerous.

Shortly before the road to Loural the levada crosses the stream bed in a long pipe, then through vines, until the levada disappears under the road to the Solar do Carvalho.

It reappears beside the Estrada do Loural, runs a stretch beside it, and then crosses under the VE4 to the other side.

Here it follows the retaining wall of the VE4. At some point it is closed off, but you can see the Madre beside a stream-control structure.

At the gate we went over the bridge and along the other side of the Ribeira da Vargem to a ladder that makes it possible to get into the stream bed and also across to the other bank, to the Madre of the Levada do Poio (not today...).

On along narrow paths and finally on the Caminho do Estreito da Vargem to the junction with the Levada da Achada do Beirao. Today just to the Madre and back, through gardens and along the side stream-control works, until it passes through the wall and leads to a stream barrier. This stretch you have to bypass a little and scramble, but it is actually straightforward. One could also cross the stream above the stream works, but the onward path looked a bit too 'private' to me!

Back to the Caminho do Estreito da Vargem and on to Vargem, up over the VE4, first on the road and then on a narrow path, until you cross the lower branch of the Levada dos Agrioes — as I said, now without water. The last steep stretch, and up the wooden steps to the Levada da Faja do Rodrigues. And because the waterfall was so tempting, I treated myself to a shower here!

Distance: 17.1 Km, 710 m of ascent, 710 m of descent

Start: 10.00 Levada da Faja do Rodrigues

End

16.00 Levada da Faja do Rodrigues

Condition

If you find the path straight away, the western path to the Madre of the Levada dos Agrioes is easy. I corrected the faulty arrow.....

The Levada da Faja do Rodrigues, as always, wide and straightforward.

The descent towards Ginjas swings between a dull track and an overgrown former track, but it is always good to walk and clear.

The Levada do Poio is a little more demanding, but anyone who is used to this will have no problems here.

The Madre of the Levada da Achada do Beirao is absorbing. Anyone who wants to can spare themselves the scramble at the end.

The ascent from Vargem to the Levada da Faja do Rodrigues on the narrow path is varied, certainly better than the road. The other path from the tunnel portal is a bit wilder.

Remarks

Absorbing levada explorations, for people who like doing this sort of thing.