LEVADAS

LEVADAS

Facts about Levada Walking Terracing ! What Are Levadas? The word levada means “to take”. A levada is an irrigation channel, designed to take water from places where it is plentiful to those where it is not. The Madeirans borrowed the idea from the mountains of Andalucia, where the channels are known as acequias. Why: Levadas were Built Water is abundant in the mountains to the north of the island, but scarce in the fertile and sunny south, where most crops are grown. Looking for a way to store water and carry it to their cultivation terraces and fields, the island’s early settlers began to build the irrigation channels that form the basis of today’s network. £ Water and Power Water was essential to the growth of Madeira. It irrigated the wheat, sugar, grape and banana crops, powered the sawmills used to turn trees into timber for construction and shipbuilding, and turned the wheels of the mills that crushed sugar. Levada Maintenance – Levadas require constant maintenance to remove rockfalls and vegetation that could block the flow of water. Paths were constructed alongside the channels to allow the levadeiro, or maintenance man, to patrol his length of levada and keep it in good working order. Levadas as Footpaths: On a visit to Madeira in 1974, Pat and John Underwood realized that levada maintenance paths made perfect footpaths – many of which provide the visitor with easy walking routes, with spectacular views. The resulting guide book, Landscapes of Madeira (Sunflower Books), has brought thousands of walkers to the island. ^ Construction Constructing levadas was a feat of engineering. Following the contours meant digging channels into the face of sheer cliffs, or building aqueducts over deep crevices. To reach inaccessible spots, levada builders were lowered down cliffs in baskets. & Contour Lines To prevent the water from running too fast, causing soil ero. Dimensions – A typical levada is 0.5 m (one and a half ft) wide and 0.8 m (two and a half ft) deep, with narrow paths 1 m (3 ft) wide. How Far Can You Go? There are now 2,200 km (1,365 miles) of levada paths to choose from – it would take three consecutive months to walk them all. Footwear Paths can be both muddy and slippery, so be sure to wear sensible weatherproof, non-slip footwear. Temperature It can be cold and wet higher up Madeira’s mountains, so take warm and waterproof clothing. Water Water is everywhere, but it is not fit to drink, so carry your own supplies. & Tunnels Carry a small light so that you can negotiate tunnels without bumping your head. Vertigo – Some levada paths have very steep drops. Turn back if you experience dizziness. ( Last Resort If vertigo strikes, as a last resort you can always get into the levada channel and walk to safety. ) Vegetation Levada paths pass trees festooned with hair-like lichen, and cliffs with beautiful and succulent ferns. sion, most levadas follow the contours of the landscape, winding in and out of valleys, descending gradually from the high peaks of the island’s central massif to the ridges and terraces of the south. Guided Tours – Levada walking is easiest if you join a guided tour. Levada dos Tornos – You can combine a levada walk with a visit to the Quinta do Palheiro Ferreiro. Exit the garden, turn right, and walk up to the village. Beyond the café, look for signs to the Levada dos Tornos and Jasmin Tea House – an ideal spot for lunch . Rabaçal – A popular walk, if you are visiting the Paúl da Serra, starts from Rabaçal. From there, walk down to the Foresters’ House, and turn right along the levada signposted “Risco”. After 20 to 30 minutes’ walk through primeval woodland you will reach a pretty waterfall. Waterfall, Risco Valley.