Levada das Faias

Madrei

Ribeira do Porco N 32°47.000 W 16°58.650 ca. 460 m a.s.l.

Course

The Levada das Faias can be divided into 2 sections:

Section 1: From the Madre, which can be reached by a small path from the car park at the village entrance of Lombo do Urzal, first with a somewhat steeper gradient on the wet levada wall, then with steps, after that flatter to the channelled stream bed in the Ribeira do João Fernandes, then a little exposed over a poorly secured bridge, afterwards somewhat more open ground. Then comes the crossing of the Corrego Caldeira and other streams, and stretches above terraces with a fine view of the other side of the valley. Here the levada can also be reached by a path from Falca de Cima on the other side of the valley. Then the crux: the crossing of the Ribeira do Fojo! An overhanging low rock face, a narrow exposed levada wall. The spot is best got past by walking in the levada channel. Here too there is a geocache!

End

North of Silveira ca. 270 m a.s.l. By the small road that leads north from the western end of the road tunnel from Arco de São Jorge to Faja do Penedo

Function and use

Irrigation of the areas around Serra de Agua, Lamaceiros, Faja do Penedo, Achadinha, Silveira, east of Boaventura and above Arco de São Jorge.

Access

Section 1:

• From Lombo do Urzal on a trodden path to the Madre

• From Falca de Cima over a bridge in the Ribeira do Porco.

• Climb from Serra de Agua by the field paths

• Lamaceiros, reached either via

  • a descent from the Levada dos Tornos

  • the gravel track you meet when descending from Boca das Voltas

  • the road that leads from the ER-101 to Faja do Penedo and Lamaceiros.

Section 2:

• Level 1:

  • Lamaceiros (3 crossings with roads)

  • Descent from the gravel track that leads from Lamaceiros to above Faja Grande, or the continuation of the descent from the Voltas viewpoint; possibly now also a link down to the road in Faja do Penedo,

  • In Achadinha

• Level 4:

  • ER-101 to the water reservoirs

  • From Silveira via the treatment plant,

  • via the front gardens

  • via the vineyard.

Level 5:

• From the ER-101, 200 metres before the tunnel entrance

• 30 metres before the tunnel entrance (not visible on Street View!)

Level 6:

• Tunnel entrance towards Arco de São Jorge

Condition

Section 1: Demanding; the crux is relatively dangerous if you want to walk on the levada wall. Alternative: take your shoes off and walk in the levada! After that it gets easier

Section 2: Moderate; one of the two bypass paths is a little slippery, and there is a wire cable.

Remarks

The circular tour from Lombo do Urzal to the Madre of the Levada dos Tornos, along it to the levada house above Lamaceiros, down to the Levada das Faias and back on it, is highly recommended (duration ca. 6 hours)