17 June 2022 Furado Velho and Furado Novo

Course

Start at the western Ponto, descent to the Furado Velho. About 1/3 of the tunnel is easy to walk; after that we turned back, because the mud really is deep and there is no way around it.

On the 'Levada do Furado Velho', which has been newly refurbished and has even been given a PR name of its own, pleasantly through the two tunnels to the first branch up to the eastern Ponto. On to the bridge over the Ribeira do Alecrim, which compared with 2013 is hardly recognisable. Further on you pass without a break to the end of the active levada generally known as the Levada do Risco, which is not actually an independent levada and, together with the 'Levada do Furado Velho', formed the historic Levada do Risco or Velha do Rabacal (see also Historical development of the levadas around Rabacal and on the south side between Ribeira Brava and Ponta do Pargo). The water is impounded here and piped at first; later, shortly before the Furado Novo, it is led down a steep vertical levada into the Levada Vinte e Cinco Fontes.

On the Levada do Risco we suddenly found ourselves in the bustle around Rabacal, but the last time I was here was in 2012, and there were still a few things I wanted to look at that had not interested me back then.

For example the spectacular course to the Madre through the rock face and behind the waterfall. And I still had some hope that the barrier gate might just today not be locked, and that the way in behind the waterfall might be open, as in the 3 videos:

End

17.00 Ponto Novo

Condition

The paths at Rabacal are all in good condition, and so is the ascent via the Quinta dos Tis.

The ascent to the Pico Gordo is pathless in places, and so is the descent, but in good visibility that is no problem.

Remarks

A fine walk along paths that are mostly quiet; only the detour to the Risco waterfall is very busy.