Levada do Lanço

Madrei

Ribeira do Passo N 32°47.100 W 17°03.500 ca. 440 m a.s.l.

Course

From the north-west the descent from the Levada da Faja do Rodrigues meets the Madre. Wild, untouched country below the waterfall; at first somewhat exposed, then on flatter ground, then on steeper ground, exposed on a narrow wall, until you reach untended terraces. In the middle of the fields a path comes up from Lanço; it continues south while terraces and one or two small houses still stand. After that it is overgrown in the forest and impassable. On this path one would pass the large stream barrier east of the Caldeirao of the Levada da Faja do Rodrigues.

Back in the Fald there follows an unpleasantly narrow stream passage, always wet and quite slippery. On again over flatter ground, exposed once more for a stretch, but easier to walk. A section that has slipped a little is crossed by the levada on a plastic pipe; the railings are improvised and already half broken away. Then along fields to the road that leads from Sao Vicente via Lanço to Ginjas. On the other side of the road 2 reservoirs are fed; the levada continues a few more metres into terraced ground.

End

Ginjas–Lanço–Sao Vicente connecting road at Terça, ca. 380 m a.s.l., in a water tank, and another 40 metres further east

Function and use

Irrigation of the area around Terça and Lanço

Access

• Descent from the Levada da Faja do Rodrigues before the third tunnel (as seen from the Madre); relatively steep and demanding

• Path from Lanço to the fields to the south-east

• Terça (parking in the bend at the levada crossing)

Condition

Moderate difficulty, with some slippery and exposed spots in the middle section, and likewise just before the Madre. Not intended for walking, but a levada laid out for practical use

Remarks

A short, unassuming levada that nevertheless has a few exciting spots.