16.06.2022 Levadaexpedition in Serra de Agua

Course

The aim of the circuit was to explore all the new levadas presented by the Caminheiro Anónimo, and also to get an overview of this area for once.

We started at the end of the Estrada da Eira da Moura. The first attempt on the Levada da Faja dos Vinhaticos, which here runs in the retaining wall of the turning place, ended in a dead end, or rather at a stream-like course of the levada that was poor to walk.

On the second attempt we climbed a stretch on the Vereda do Pico Redondo towards Faja das Eguas and then met the levada again. After a short distance a stream-like inflow comes into the levada from above; before that the Levada da Faja dos Vinhaticos also branches off to the left, to the end of our first attempt. On the Levada da Faja dos Vinhaticos, somewhat overgrown, to the Madre. There is also a rather wobbly bridge here. I felt my way across it carefully and — unfortunately, looking back — failed to examine more closely the ascent, which looked a bit adventurous. More on that right at the end. Back again over the bridge. I was very relieved to have firm ground under my feet again; there are a few rotten planks on the bridge, and you should pay close attention to which planks you mean to step on.....

Back to the Vereda do Pico Redondo and on up to the junction with the Levada da Achadinha, first in the direction of flow, with fine views, to the Pousada dos Vinhaticos. The same way back to the junction, and on to the Madre of the Levada da Achadinha, past a steep levada staircase and a somewhat exposed length of pipe.

The Madre is a beautiful place, which we enjoyed at length. Then back again, and an ascent on the Vereda do Pico Redondo to the track to Faja das Eguas. On the way towards the reservoir we kept our eyes open for the Levada da Faja das Eguas. After the 'Ponderosa' you can make out something like a levada on the right-hand side, but everything here is overgrown. After a few metres we climbed on a path over potato fields to a 'suspect' retaining wall, and there we did in fact find the end of the levada. Along this, over the partly stream-like course. A branch up to a side branch we did not follow further, because of thicket and brambles.

Finally you come to the large water tank, and above it to the Madre of the Levada da Faja das Eguas, which has changed a great deal since my last visit, completely overgrown with trees and bushes.

From the end of the road a relatively new, but already quite worn, 'track' leads here to the other side of the stream and along the stream to the Madre of the Levada da Pedreira.

Here everything is choked with boulders and tree trunks, but the Madre under a waterfall is very beautiful. The first metres are piped under the rubble; then it becomes very comfortable on the Levada da Pedreira, though very narrow and with little room for your feet, but increasingly scenic. Down the valley, with 2 protected exposed sections, to the waterfall, which drops to the 3 huts above Eira da Moura and the end of the levada. We descended a little before that, and at the 3 huts we enjoyed the view and the peace. The levada goes through a break in the terrain to the end basin.

A relatively steep descent to the Levada da Eira da Moura, first quite overgrown in the direction of flow as far as the last irrigated field, then back to the second ascent path to Faja das Eguas.

At first peaceful beside a stone wall, then it becomes very varied, with a slippery levada staircase, an exposed spot and a stream-like course, until you come to the pipe that crosses the stream. Neither a stream crossing on foot nor an ascent is possible here, so back to the ascent path, and we did in fact find the small trodden path to the Madre and the upper end of the pipe.

This Madre too is very peaceful. For a few metres you follow an open levada to the pipe intake.

I suspected that there was also a way through here to the bridge at the Madre of the Levada da Faja dos Vinhaticos. We landed, though, in lavishly overgrown ground with dense fern, boulders and treacherous footing, and that was then a bit too dangerous for us. Afterwards, though, I would now know roughly where it goes through (see right at the end).

So back to the Madre of the Levada da Eira da Moura and, on the ascent path and small veredas, over a small bridge above the Estrada da Eira da Moura — where we also explored the start of a small levada — onto the road and between the houses back to the starting point.

Distance: 9 Km, 460 m of ascent, 460 m of descent

Start: 10.00 Faja dos Vinhaticos

End

17.00 Faja dos Vinhaticos

Condition

The ascent path from Faja dos Vinhaticos to Faja das Eguas is no problem.

The Levada da Faja dos Vinhaticos is very narrow and overgrown from the junction with the ascent path. Crossing the little bridge at the Madre takes a bit of courage!

The Levada da Achadinha is, from the ascent path towards the Madre, somewhat exposed or somewhat slippery at 2 places. Towards the Pousada it is no problem.

The Levada da Faja das Eguas is unproblematic, but it calls for a little concentration, because a classic path beside the levada is often missing. The Madre is a little slippery on the dam wall.

The descent to the Levada da Pedreira has slumped quite a bit and is strewn with loose rocks. How long it will still be possible to pass here without trouble I cannot judge. The levada itself is a pleasure for people with experience: relatively narrow, and with 2 exposed sections, but never really dangerous. The descent is relatively steep.

The Levada da Eira da Moura is, in the direction of flow after the descent, almost overgrown. Against the direction of flow it is easy at first, then there are a few places where you have to move forward with concentration (an exposed spot, a levada staircase, a stream-like course). The Madre can be reached by a steep little path; beyond the Madre, before the pipe, it is overgrown in places.

Remarks

An interesting area for people who like discovering something new and who are sure-footed.