1 July 2022 Levada finds above Câmara de Lobos

Course

Out again with Issi on a levada-discovery walk:

Start in the centre of Camara de Lobos on the Av. Nova Cidade, steps up by the Capela de Sao Candido to the Levada da Castanheira, a short stretch along the levada in the direction of flow as far as the barrier; here it continues in the rockfall gallery and is not accessible.

The Fonte da Pedra is here too; the Levada da Castanheira also flows through its base

Against the flow we took a few wrong turns; in the end the path was clear, first past old levada sections cut into the rock face, then through banana plantations. It gets ever rougher and narrower, until you are standing at the foot of the Cascata de Agua de Alto.

From here the Levada da Castanheira runs through 3 watermills set one above the other, which are well preserved; the ascent path leads back and forth between the buildings. At the top you see an ingenious distribution system.

Above the Ponte do Serrado we followed the Levada da Castanheira. The narrow little wall is definitely nothing for the inexperienced; it takes quite some nerve to push on to the Madre here.

Back at the Ponte do Serrado we crossed the Ribeira da Caixa and, from the opposite side, enjoyed the view of the 3 watermills; the waterfall was unfortunately only a shadow of itself.

Ascent on the Caminho do Lagar da Giesta to the Rua Corredor Manuel Franca Doria and on along it to the start of the Vereda Velha da Ribeira da Caixa. Down this to the river, and a short ascent to the junction with the Levada de Braz Gil de Faria.

Along this to the Madre. I walked the last stretch alone; it is all tight and slippery and dangerous. The Madre of the Levada de Braz Gil de Faria lies above an imposing waterfall.

Back to the junction with the Vereda Velha da Ribeira da Caixa and on along the Levada de Braz Gil de Faria below the Caminho da Ribeira da Caixa to the gallery, on which you cross the motorway.

A short while later you pass the Capela das Preces, on along the Travessa da Capela das Preces; the Levada de Braz Gil de Faria is piped here. On along the Caminho da Levada do Salao until you pass under the motorway.

Along the Levada de Braz Gil de Faria, open again, to the Estrada do Limoeiro, along that and on via the Rua Joao Ricardo Ferreira Cesar and the Caminho das Preces to the Estrada de Santa Clara.

In the 360-degree bend of the Estrada de Santa Clara you meet the end branch of the Levada da Castanheira, which runs here in the rock face. On the mountain side of the road you see the old continuation as far as the tunnel; from the viewing terrace on the other side of the Av. da Autonomia you see the adventurous course in the cliff.

From here back to the starting point.

Distance: 9.6 Km, 410 Hm ascent, 410 Hm descent

Start: 14.50 Av. Nova Cidade

End

18.15 Av. Nova Cidade

Condition

The start is not entirely easy to find

The Levada da Castanheira is relatively easy as far as above the 3 watermills, and quite dangerous as far as the Madre.

The Levada de Braz Gil de Faria is good to walk except for the Madre area; the further down the valley, the easier. The Madre area is absorbing, but quite dangerous.

Remarks

Astonishing how quickly, from the very urban centre of Camara de Lobos, you are out among the greenery.

The 3 watermills are very absorbing, above all because they are so well preserved!