Daniel’s Levada Directory
27 June 2022 Banana walk around Madalena do Mar
Also known as Tour 2022-06-27 Madalena do Mar
Archival documentation — not a current hiking recommendation. Source file on danishome.ch last modified: 15 December 2022
Course
From the large car park in Madalena do Mar a very steep ascent along the Vereda do Lombo through banana terraces, and later on a trodden path to the ER222.
On along the Calçada do Socorro and beside a small levada to Carvalhal e Carreira. From here on a small path to the Levada Nova.
In the direction of flow to the crossing with the ER209 and the Levada Velha das Canhas, past the large water tank and the Elvis-Ronaldo shrine, over the fine stream crossings of the Ribeira de Santiago and the Ribeira de Sao João to Covas.
On our 2015 walk we went on from here to the newly renovated end of the Levada Nova, with the wonderful views into the valley of the Ribeira da Ponta do Sol and of the Levada Nova da Ponta do Sol and the Levada do Moinho.
In 2015 this section was straightforward to walk, but in 2022 the levada was in a wretched state: the protection torn away, rockfall, and completely overgrown. After 2/3 of the way to the end I gave up; like that it is little fun!
Back to Covas and descent via the Lombo das Adegas and the Lombo de São João onto the Lombo da Piedade and to the church of Canhas.
From here to Outeiro, to the upper station of the banana cable car. Descent on stepped paths and trodden paths to the valley station of the cable car, and from here through banana terraces and small paths to above Madalena do Mar.
A steep descent to the coast road and, with a small detour via the church of Madalena do Mar, back to the starting point.
Distance: 19.7 Km, 880 m of ascent, 880 m of descent
Start: 10.05 Madalena do Mar
End
16.45 Madalena do Mar
Condition
The ascent on the Vereda do Lombo really is breathtaking, in the literal sense. By the time you reach the ER209 you have climbed about 450 metres of elevation!
The Levada Nova is very pleasant to walk, and around the two stream crossings it is very peaceful too.
The end of the Levada Nova from Covas onwards is obviously no longer maintained: the levada is dry, the bed and the protection are partly destroyed, and everything is densely overgrown.
Descent from Covas to Canhas on narrow roads, then to Outeiro on paths that are exposed in places, through the banana plantations.
A steep descent, practically on the fall line.
Remarks
A varied walk, even if it is strenuous in places and not exactly kind to the joints.