Levada das Cruzinhas

Madrei

Ribeira da Metade N 32°44.800 W 16°53.400 ca. 470 m a.s.l.

Course

The Levada das Cruzinhas can be divided into 2 sections:

Section 1:

The Madre always looked a little fragile, and was marked by floods and rockfall. In 2019, as we drove past, we saw that the Madre and the first metres had been restored with a great deal of work. Further down, a road had also been built from the Nogueira track across the river to the levada (in the area of the pipeline to the Levada do Cedro Gordo). The condition reports below may therefore no longer be entirely up to date.

From the Madre it runs at first close to the Ribeira da Metade, then gains height quickly and is very narrow and usually wet. After an open passage with uncultivated terraces and a cable, the levada makes a 90-degree bend. There stands a small water house with the pipe branch of the Levada do Cedro Gordo. After that it becomes increasingly exposed as far as a first gallery tunnel. From here close concentration is needed, on a narrow path without protection, which leads into 2 further gallery tunnels. Then another short exposed stretch, and it widens again. After a short piece of woodland it continues pleasantly above fields. Here a path comes up that branches off the ER-103. The levada leads through the lane in Cruzinhas and disappears under the road.

Section 2:

The ER-103 is passed underneath in a kind of siphon, and the levada comes back to the surface a few metres above the ER-103. A path also leads from here to the cruzeiro of Cruzinhas (with a geocache). The levada runs through the wood on a wide path as far as a gate, which is not locked, though. On a little rougher, but not dangerous. The gradient increases a little, another gate-like structure follows, then a short tunnel.

The way on is really only for very resolute walkers. An overhang stops you walking on the levada wall, and from a distance the rope protection looks a bit improvised. Once you have got used to the situation, you can squeeze past the spot holding the rope, sliding, or wading in the levada. After that it gets wider, but extremely narrow and exposed. The dangerous section ends at another gate; after that it is still a little slippery and narrow, then steadily easier, past a turning uphill that might also lead up to the ridge with the cruzeiro (not tested!). The levada then flows into a basin, where it divides. The northern branch leads to the fields, the southern one along the approach road to Lombo de Cima.

End

Lombo de Cima ca. 350 m a.s.l.

Function and use

Irrigation of the fields at Cruzinhas and around Lombo de Cima

Access

Section 1:

• From the dirt track off the ER-103 to the Faja da Nogueira power station. The Madre is clearly visible on the other side of the valley; a little before the Madre, move down into the stream bed

• Access path from the ER-103 (see above)

• Where the levada crosses the ER-103

Section 2:

• Where the levada crosses the ER-103

• Approach road in Lombo de Cima, turning off the ER-103, or a little wider here

Condition

The path is in places fragile and exposed, and includes some narrow passages on rock.

Sure footing is absolutely necessary; not for anyone prone to vertigo

For the condition in 2019, see above!

Remarks

The levada offers one of the finest levada experiences. The 3 gallery tunnels in particular are outstanding, but the adrenaline flows in streams. In the right conditions, and with the utmost concentration, it is superb!