Levada dos Piornais
Funchal
Madeira
Distance 8km Climb 100m
Friday 9 September 2016
From the map I had seen a walk along a local levada close to our hotel. The rep said it would be a good taste of a couple of walks we had looked at.
It was a short climb up the road from our hotel to the start of the path that would take us to the levada. Levada's are narrow waterways in Madeira. The town map we had was very basic and gave us a rough idea where we would be going. So our plan was just to wander along and have a look about.
Reaching the path we turned left and followed the sign up hill.
The path took us up by a hotel and started to climb. It was covered in the petals that had fallen from the flowers that over hung the wall.
Cross the road then climb some more.
There was another set of steps to climb before we reached the levada and turned left along the maintenance path. A lot of the walking in Madeira is along the levada maintenance paths.
We continued westwards as the levada ran behind houses.
We could see to our right steps up to local small plots of unused land.
At one point we saw the top of the tower of Sao Martinho's and thought rather than follow the levanda we would turn northwards up more steep steps to go and have a look.
It appears that every piece of land is used either for vines or banana plants.
At the top of the road we turned left then right up a steep narrow path between houses.
At the top the path levels and we could see right across the valley. The path then turns right and starts climbing up some stairs.
Crossing over the road we continued uphill to Sao Martinho. Back across the road to take the path up to the church.
This was a great viewing point.
We took the path down to a small cafe, had a couple of drinks before returning back down hill towards the levada.
On reaching the levada we turned right, westward and continued along the maintenance path.
The levada twisted and turned around the contours of the side of the hill, in places the ground had fell onto the path from minor earth falls. Eventually we reached a road and could see Cab Girao in the distance. For parts of the walk we had looked down and spotted places we had passed in the walk we had done a few days earlier to Camara de Lobos.
Further up the road we looked to see what time we had left and discussed how much further we would go and made the decision to turn around and make our return journey.
In places there is a sharp drop to our right.
We passed a couple of empty and abandoned properties.
It did not take us long to reach the steps at the top of the path that leads down to the road near the hotel.
Again it had been a very hot and sunny walk and glad we had factor 30 sun cream.
We had covered approx 8km with 100m climb.
More to follow
Boz North
Details correct at time of walking.
If you have enjoyed reading my walk or found it useful you may also like to read other walks I have done in Madeira or other areas. Please check out the links on the right hand side.
Follow link to our next walk in Madeira Rabacal, Risco Waterfall, 25 Fontes.
Follow link to our previous walk in Madeira Funchal Lido to Camara de Lobos
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