Levada Nova

Madrei

Ribeira Ponta do Sol N 32°43.250 W 17°05.050 ca. 430 m a.s.l.

Course

The concrete bar in the Ribeira da Ponta do Sol ponds the water and leads it into the levada. Until 2014 this was a concreted channel (photo: east side of the Ribeira Ponta do Sol). After a few metres a levada divider follows, sending part of the water over a waterfall to the Madre below of the Levada do Moinho. Later there is an ascent and descent path to the Levada do Moinho, the crossing of the Ribeiro Frio with a gallery tunnel and waterfall, a short tunnel, then the course below the fields of Torradouro, which are supplied by the Levada do Techo. A fine view of the Levada do Coronel running on the other side of the valley. An exposed section after the 90-degree bend, then for a longer stretch along the eastern slope of the Ribeira da Ponta do Sol valley, with fine views of the Levada do Moinho below and of the other side of the valley.

Once up on the lombo, the road from Lombada da Ponta do Sol to Jangao is crossed. Here is the classic start for a circular walk with the Levada do Moinho (the link is via the road; see the map). The levada continues across fields to a junction with a regional road. Here the levada has to be left briefly (piped section); a few metres further east it reappears and passes under the road. There is a stepped access to the levada here.

On across fields, partly covered with concrete slabs, over a cut and a small lombo, then a short tunnel, across fields to the crossing of the Ribeira da Caixa. In the past it was sometimes very wet, with an improvised tin roof that could also be missing! Today the crossing can be passed dry on a bridge. A little lower in the stream bed is the former Madre of the Levada da Candelaria. On to the junction with the road from Candelaria to Ardique, and shortly afterwards the junction with the Caminho Lugar da Serra.

The levada now turns into the valley of the Ribeira da Tabua. An airy but straightforward course with a wide view; at the head of the valley the Ribeira da Tabua is crossed in an almost slightly oversized stream structure. Then a somewhat more exposed stretch as far as a short tunnel. After that a small terminal branch splits off to the fields above Macapez and Corujeira. Junction with the new road from the ER-222 to Pico Delgado. On along a broad levada path over a lombo to the junction with the road that leads north towards Furnas. Access with an information board. The levada actually continues above the road, crosses the road to Pomar de Rocha, and ends in a large reservoir at Lombo Gesteiro. I did have the impression, though, that from the information board onwards the levada carries no more water.

End

Lombo Gesteiro ca. 400 m a.s.l.

Function and use

Irrigation of the areas along the south coast from Ponta do Sol to Ribeira Brava; water supply for the south coast

Access

• To the Madre from the Madre of the Levada do Moinho and the Levada do Coronel via the stream bed

• Ascent path from the Levada do Moinho

• Classic start with a signpost on the road from the ER-222 via Lombada da Ponta do Sol to Jangao

• Regional road (alternative ascent; see the map)

• Junction with the road from Candelaria to Ardique, and the regional road that comes down from above a few metres further on

• Stream structure in Tabua, reached via

  • Descent from the Madre of the Levada da Tabua (Tabua–Nova circular route)

  • Road from the ER-222 to Tabua

• Road from the ER-222 towards Furnas

• Start with a signpost on the road from Ribeira Brava, turn-off in Achada

• Junction with the road that leads to Pomar de Rocha

Condition

Moderate (harder in the past, now elaborately protected; a bit too heavily built up for my taste)

Remarks

• Usually walked as a circuit with the Levada do Moinho as the outward or return route. Shortly before the Madre a trodden path leads from the upper levada to the lower one. A link is also possible via the Madres along a gravel track in the river bed.

• When there is surplus water on the Levada Nova on the other side of the valley, the water is led through the newly built section into the valley of the Ribeira da Ponta do Sol and, over a waterfall above the Madre of the Levada Nova and the Levada do Moinho, into the Ribeira da Ponta do Sol.

In 2016 the water feed was redesigned with 3 water pipes that run from the opposite bank to the Levada Nova. I still do not know exactly where, or how, the water is taken in there.

Only a little water is still led from the old Madre (dam wall) to the start of the levada (orange pipe).