24 June 2022 Five levada finds around Canhas

Course

Once again out with Issi on a levada-discovery tour.

We started on the Lombo de Piedade, below the junction with the Levada da Faja do Lombo de Piedade, first against the direction of flow to the Madre. Shortly before the Madre a trodden path branches off, which brought us to the Levada do Lombo de Sao Joao. First we followed a side branch that ended somewhere in the fields. At least this wrong turning led us to a pleasant encounter with the farmer and his wife.

Back to the path and on along the main branch of the Levada do Lombo de Sao Joao, in the direction of flow, to the large reservoir. A fine view of the church of Canhas!

On the way back towards the Madre we briefly followed an inflowing levada along the Caminho do Lombo de Sao Joao. When it became clear that it follows the caminho as far as the Levada Nova and has its origin there too (as verified a day later), we spared ourselves this detour.

On the Levada do Lombo de Sao Joao against the direction of flow to the Madre. For the last 100 metres we had to look for the path in dense horsetail.

Back to the distributor hut. From here an inactive branch leads to the stream bed. A little above that lies the (for the moment) inactive Madre of the Levada dos Castanheiros. Along the levada, piped at first and then inactive, back to the Caminho do Lombo de Piedade. The onward course then ended on a private property.

On the Caminho do Lombo de Piedade back to the Levada da Faja do Lombo de Piedade and along it, in the direction of flow, to the end in a large water tank.

From here, with a small detour, back to the starting point.

Because we were early, we parked further down at the Caminho do Piquinho and started a second circuit from there.

We followed the caminho uphill, with the Levada da Terra Cha in the road ditch, to the branch of the Levada da Terra Cha. Along the Levada da Terra Cha, past several storage poços, to the place where you continue above the vertical retaining wall of the ER222, high in the air but well secured. After that it is exposed in places and a little overgrown, to the Caminho do Lombo de Sao Joao. Just beyond it, somewhat overgrown and not entirely easy to walk, is the Madre of the Levada da Terra Cha.

On up on the Caminho do Lombo de Sao Joao to the decorated Capela de Sao Joao (it was the holiday in honour of São João).

On the Travessa da Vargem towards the Ribeira de Santiago, and on a stepped path back up to the church of Canhas.

On the descent we discovered another levada, which we had already noticed earlier. I name it after the small hamlet of Voltinhas: Levada das Voltinhas.

First along the banana terraces, then towards the stream a little narrower, until it ended at a pipe. From here we saw no way of reaching the Madre: too overgrown and too steep!

Back to the road junction with the Calcada dos Fregueses Novos and on through the bananas, past a metalworking firm, to the ER222. The levada would continue here with water through the banana plantations, but we did not have time for this section.

Back on the ER222 and the Caminho da Terra Cha to the starting point.

Distance:

• Round 1 7.0 Km, 240 m of ascent, 240 m of descent

• Round 2 6.5 Km, 180 m of ascent, 180 m of descent

Start round 1: 11.00 Lombo de Piedade

End round 1: 14.10 Lombo de Piedade

Start round 2: 14.45 Caminho do Piquinho

End round 2: 17.05 Caminho do Piquinho

Condition

The Levada da Faja do Lombo de Piedade is entirely straightforward.

The Levada do Lombo de Sao Joao was, in the Madre area from the distributor hut, completely overgrown; here you have to be a little careful. In the lower part there are 2 somewhat exposed spots, but they can be managed well.

The Levada dos Castanheiros is again entirely straightforward.

The 2 narrow connecting paths are narrow, but good to walk.

The Levada da Terra Cha is narrow in places and somewhat exposed. It is also often overgrown. The Madre is unpleasantly narrow, somewhat exposed and slippery.

The Levada das Voltinhas is easy. The Madre area cannot be reached from the levada; perhaps some trodden path from above?

Remarks

Astonishingly wild sections right in the middle of civilisation.