Ribeira Brava valley is one of the most impressive places in Madeira. Time after time you can see people park their cars to admire the majestic mountains along the Sao Vicente road. The Ribeira Brava valley starts at Ribeira Brava coastal town and continue all the way to Encumeada cutting the island in half. Along the Encumeada road there is loads of places to stop for enjoying the views of this wonderful valley.
By following the road up from Riberia Brava to Boa Morte and again to Espigão, views are breath taking. On Espigão you can find the viewpoint and see Levada Norte flowing along the eastern slopes of Ribeira Brava valley. On your way back to Ribeira Brava you should visit Eira Mourão village built on the hilltop. There is also great views to the valley there and the road down to the village is an experience in itself.
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Northern side of the Ribeira Brava valley seen from the Encumeada road |
Levada do Norte was built to carry water from Serra de Agua waterplant to plantations in western Funchal and Campanário. Building constructions started in year 1947 and it took five years to build the channel. There is 50 kilometers levada carry crucial water to plantations. It is hard to imagine the efforts to build this aqueduct using hacks to rocky hillside.
Route from Gabo Girao to Boa Morte is suitable for all kinds of walkers. Even after Boa Morte there is not many vertigous sections on the route before Eira Mourão. After that terrain get more vertigous with sheer drops along the path and you must be surefooted and have head for hights.
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Ribeira Brava valley seen from the Encumeada |
After Espigão tunnel there is even hundred meter abyss next to unprotected path and you must be very careful with your steps. The path itself can be only 40 cm wide. There is also eight tunnels and longest one is 1000 meters long and floods from beginning to end. There are neither poisonous animals nor insects in Madeira and that's the fact I kept telling myself when I saw little black spiders in the roof of the tunnels.
Anyway, it is not advisable to follow this route after Espigao tunnel without experienced guide or experience of high places. If the path is damaged or in bad condition you should turn back. Conditions may change if they ever decide to renowate the route and if they do please send me post via feedbackform.
LEVADA DO NORTE AT BOA MORTE