Levada das Cales

Madrei

Western feeder levada (Levada da Ribeira das Cales) (confirmed): N 32°42.600 W 16°54.250 ca. 1420 m a.s.l.

Eastern feeder levada (unclear condition) N 32°42.450 W 16°53.850 ca. 1380 m a.s.l.

Main levada: Ribeira das Cales N 32°42.100 W 16°54.150 ca. 1160 m a.s.l., about 150 metres north of the Centro de Recepcao of the Parque Ecologico do Funchal.

Course

Western feeder levada: below the Casa do Burro into the Madre of the main levada

Eastern feeder levada: from Madre 2, two courses:

1. A direct straight course into the Madre of the main levada

2. First straight towards the south-east as far as the ER-103, along it with an additional short inflow to the ER-103 bridge over the Ribeira das Cales by the Centro de Recepcao, and there into the main levada

Main levada: as far as the ER-103 bridge over the Ribeira das Cales, along this until south of the access to the Parque Ecologico do Funchal, then about 50 metres clearly west of the ER-103 (old course). At the entrance to the private property back onto the ER-103, along the ER-103 to the first 90-degree right-hand bend with the catchment structure.

On the stretch from the private property to the catchment structure, the Levada das Cales used to run in a levada channel well to the west of the ER-103 (see the map). Today the footpath goes that way. You cannot reach the footpath, or the old levada channel, directly from the ER-103 (private property with a dog!), but indirectly by the path that leads from the Casa da Rib. das Cales to the Pico Alto (junction with a waymark!). The traces of the old levada are clearly visible (see the photos). The path comes out directly at the catchment structure (waymark).

The levada passes under the ER-103 and continues in the open on the other side of the road. Further down this path joins the ER-103 in Terreiro da Luta again. After passing under the road it continues here. On the pilgrim path it continues to the first houses of Monte. I was able to follow the onward course in the Vereda das Quintas as far as a water reservoir. According to the maps, though, the levada should run via the Caminho do Monte; here it may be piped.

End

Monte/Funchal ca. 610 m a.s.l.

Function and use

Vertical levada supplying water to Monte

Access

• Along the ER-103 (see above)

• Monte

Condition

Main levada, old course and western feeder levada easy (waymarked footpaths); the condition of the eastern feeder levadas is unknown.