Levada dos Piornais

Madrei

Ribeira Soccoridos N 32°40.700 W 16°57.550 ca. 190 m a.s.l.

Course

The Levada dos Piornais can be divided into 4 sections:

Section 1: The part that is not called "forbidden" without reason. The Madre lies in open ground, with a small dam spanning the river. On the left bank the water is taken in a concrete levada and led to the small hut. At this distribution point the water is split into 7 parts. One part goes by pipe to the other side of the stream, to the Levada da Faja; the rest is passed on to the Levada dos Piornais. After the hut the Levada dos Piornais proper begins, first over an exposed passage about 5 metres above the stream bed, then the first ascent path comes up from the stream bed.

On to the levada bridge. First a small stairway leaves to the left, which probably leads into the old path that climbs to the Levada do Curral e Castelejo. That path, though, is growing over more and more, and is waiting for a pathfinder with a sharp machete. Then comes a green gate that stands open, leading to a very exposed passage. Very airy; the path itself, though, is excellent. When the path widens again, the second trodden path drops down to the river. On, very exposed and unprotected, through 2 tunnels to the locked green gate, and on to the 90-degree bend above the Socorridos power station. The locked gate has to be bypassed on the outside!

Section 2: The official part. Past the ascent path from the Caminho dos Socorridos, under the rising pipe to the Socorridos power station, to the small Santa Quiteria power station, through a gallery tunnel, and over the levada bridge across the Ribeira Arvoredo. Here, in the side valley, you see the bridge that carries the pressure pipe mentioned above across the gorge. Past the ascent and descent path from Santa Quiteria to the Caminho dos Socorridos. Here you can also bypass the somewhat dizzying passages that follow, and climb back onto the levada afterwards.

Then come the well-known, beautiful gallery tunnels, linked by levada sections built against the vertical rock wall in the manner of an aqueduct. On, steadily easier, to the junction with the Rua do Pico da Lombada. From here you can climb to Santa Quiteria.

Section 3: The banana-belt passage. Through banana plantations to the junction with the Caminho do Pinheiro das Voltas (a place to join the levada; approach from Santa Quiteria or the Rua de Vitoria), Escadinhas de Santa Rita (a way down from the Rua de Santa Rita and Santa Quiteria), junction with the Estrada de Vitoria. The motorway is passed underneath in a tunnel that cannot be walked. View from the north side, view from the south side. The levada follows a little below the Rua de Arieirio and crosses here. Then on through further banana plantations. It crosses the Caminho do Amparo. On through suburban gardens and bananas to the Rua dos Estados Unidos da America.

Section 4: The unattractive piped part. From the Rua dos Estados Unidos da America it runs on underground, in pipes. At the Rua Dr. Pita it once divided into 2 end branches:

End branch 1: Levada dos Barreiros, along the street of the same name to Sao Joao.

End branch 2: Levada dos Ilheus, south of the football stadium, along the lane of the same name, right into central Funchal.

End

End branch 1: Sao Joao ca. 130 m a.s.l.

End branch 2: Rua dos Ilheus, 400 metres north of the start of the large pier in Funchal harbour, ca. 70 m a.s.l.

Function and use

Water supply for Funchal

Access

Section 1:

• To the Madre by the stream bed before the Socorridos power station, the Madre of the Levada da Faja (very dangerous!), or a descent from Curral das Freiras by the stream bed of the Ribeira dos Socorridos (only in summer)

• Straight from the Madre onto the levada: a passage that is not without danger, 5 metres above the stream bed, narrow and slippery. It gains height fairly quickly. Because the ground is unreliable, it can only be recommended with reservations.

• By the first access path after the awkward passage

• We have also scrambled up from the stream bed to the levada bridge: pathless, but it can be done

• On old maps and in old guidebooks there is a path that leads down from the Casa Perreira on the Levada do Curral e Castelejo

• Second access path from the stream bed (not entirely easy to find, slippery)

Section 2:

• Ascent from the Caminho dos Socorridos by a stepped path immediately after the 90-degree bend of the levada

• Access by the ascent and descent from Santa Quiteria to the Caminho dos Socorridos

• Ascent by the path that bypasses the galleries

• Junction with the Rua do Lombada (at this turning go right, under the motorway bridge, next turning right and immediately right again, uphill, over a small bridge across the motorway, and park here). The levada runs here practically at the edge of the motorway.

Section 3:

• Approach from the Estrada da Vitoria to the junction with the Caminho do Pinheiro das Voltas.

• Descent from the Rua de Santa Rita by the Escadinhas de Santa Rita. Motorway exit no. 7 is a more direct way in, by the Estrada da Vitoria or the Rua de Arieiro (crossing point)

• Ways in at various places and crossing points

Condition

Section 1: Very dangerous. Absolute sure footing is essential, and so is a head for heights. The stretch from the Madre to the first access is awkward and not to be underestimated! Otherwise the levada is in good condition, without protection. The locked gate has to be bypassed on the outside, and that takes a bit of nerve!

Section 2: Moderately difficult at first; some sure footing is needed. The gallery tunnels are well protected, but they can already be a problem for anyone prone to vertigo

Sections 3 and 4: No problem. In the urban area, though, assaults are reported relatively often

Remarks

In section 1 the Levada da Faja always runs at about the same height, on the opposite side of the valley. Walkers who like an adventure can link the two levadas in a short circuit. I accept no liability, though: there are already a few really awkward spots, especially on the Levada da Faja!