Levada dos Pombais sup.

Madrei

South of Pombais: N 32°51.292 W 17°11.905 ca. 512 m a.s.l.

Course

The Madre is a tunnel that cannot be walked, and its origin could not be traced.

Update 2024: I found the start of the tunnel and the connection to the end branch of the Levada do Moinho. It is a branch of the road levada along the Caminho Fajã dos Bois, fed by the Levada do Moinho.

A branch off the Levada do Poco Novo, which runs a little higher, is also possible.

Straight after that a waterfall, which can be bypassed, then a steep stretch as far as a levada stairway. After that it is flat, and a good path, first along a small rock wall, always parallel to the Levada dos Pombais inf. lying 5 metres lower.

At the Miradouro dos Pombais the two levadas separate. The Levada dos Pombais sup. continues under the road and runs through the fields with various smaller branches.

After an imposing gorge section the levada ends at the Caminho da Volta do Carro.

End

Caminho da Volta do Carro ca. 416 m a.s.l.

Function and use

Important levada for the water supply of Pombais and Salao

Access

Miradouro dos Pombais, and via the Levada dos Pombais inf.

Condition

At the start the levada is easy to walk and well maintained. Towards the Madre it gets steeper and a little slippery.

Remarks

The water is taken through a short side tunnel. The tunnel is connected to an end branch of the Levada do Moinho.