28 June 2022 Meditating at one of my favourite places

Course

From Barreiro e Feiteiras along the Levada Nova against the flow, over all 3 side branches of the Ribeira da Madalena.

A visit to the 3 interesting stream works and side branches, and above all the middle side valley of the Ribeira.

Back by the same path.

Distance: 7.4 Km, 20 Hm ascent, 20 Hm descent

Start: 13.15 Barreiro e Feiteiras

End

15.30 Barreiro e Feiteiras

Condition

The Levada Nova is quite exposed here and only partly secured. With care, though, it walks well.

The westernmost stream crossing, that is the western stream works there, can at my height only be reached by crawling (rock overhangs). Quite exposed, but a solid concrete wall.

The eastern access is reached on a good path along the levada.

The middle stream crossing is reached by a narrow trodden path, a little slippery, then in the stream bed as far as the waterfalls.

The eastern stream crossing is reached beside the levada that flows in; a little narrow, but not a problem

Remarks

We were on this section for the first time in 2016. We then walked the whole section from Arco to Canhas in 2021. That is when I also discovered the two eastern stream sections in the side valleys.

The improvised ladder up to the higher stream section at the middle crossing has unfortunately disappeared!