Day 5 - Walk Paul da Serra & Levada do Norte

You will be picked up at your hotel at 9:00 am and dropped off at the information board at Bica da Cana. 

NOTE: In case of foggy or cold weather, you can skip the up-and-down visit to the viewpoint at the picnic area. 

0.00 km – TURN to your RIGHT when facing the board and walk up the cobbled path between the two concrete pillars (there may be a chain across the entrance). Head up the slope. 

0.10 km – BEAR LEFT before the house. The way will sweep first right, then left before reaching the picnic area with glorious views across to Pico Ruivo. 

0.70 km – TURN BACK down the hill, retracing your steps to the information board. 

1.38 km – TURN RIGHT, onto the path PR17, which tells you “ENCUMEADA 11,2km”. Ignore other options and follow the yellow and red markers as the path winds its way first through the prickly gorse bushes and then in the middle of higher vegetation. 

1.85 km – TURN LEFT at the T-junction. Follow the sign indicating ENCUMEADA 10,7km. As the rock wall unfolds on you left, the path is narrow on some stretches. For security reasons, do not step on the vegetation. 

2.40 km – BEAR LEFT at a small junction with a big stone and a tree holding a handmade mark. After 200m, a viewpoint on the right-hand side is indicated by an arrow dug on the ground. Carry on DOWN the log stairs.  

3.52 km – TURN RIGHT at the top of the steps following the sign ENCUMEADA 9km and go DOWN the rough road for 50 metres only. Be careful, the next junction is easy to miss. 

3.60 km – TURN RIGHT, off the road and down the paved steps – follow the hidden red and yellow indicators. 

NOTE: If the vegetation is too dense to go through, carry on DOWN the rough road for 1,4 km, at a small junction in a bend on the left. TURN RIGHT into the forest, to find an abandoned (dry) levada alongside the wide path, on the right-hand side at Point A (altitude 1173m). Follow the indications bellow from this point on. 

3.79 km – After climbing 3 stone steps up,  BEAR RIGHT at the junction to carry on downhill amongst the heather trees. 

NOTE: The old Caramujo forest guard houses stand by the left, past the entrance gate. 

3.98 km – BEAR LEFT when reaching the clearing. Mind your head with low heather branches. 

Ignore a trail going up on the right. 

4.80 km – BEAR RIGHT, following the sign stating ENCUMEADA 7.6km. You will see an abandoned (dry) levada alongside the wide path, on the right-hand side at Point A. 

5.20 km – AHEAD through the first, short tunnel. 

NOTE: This is the first of the tunnels you will encounter. The last two are by far the longest, and tell you that you are near the end of the route. For now, they are short, but it is important to take care and remember to look up as well as down - head room can be limited. 

5.34 km – AHEAD through the tunnel to find nice views of the mountains and some sections dug into the rock. 200m after a stone arch, the old levada ends at a small junction. 

6.70 km – BEAR LEFT down the steep log stairs following the sign ENCUMEADA 5,8km. 

6.88 km – AHEAD following the path between the guard rails at PAREDÃO dyke. With the glorious views either side, this is an ideal place for lunch. The path descends steeply after here, with some sections which can be slippy. 

7.36 km – TURN RIGHT at the bottom of the steps on an easy trail. 80m after getting round the left of a big stone, continue STRAIGHT ON across a bike track and ignore 2 trails on the left. 

7.95 km – AHEAD up the log stairs and you will soon be climbing back in the direction you came – this is correct and will take you up to the Levada do Norte. 

8.15 km – TURN LEFT onto the Levada do Norte, following the flow. The sign states ENCUMEADA 4,3km. Follow the path alongside the levada. 

8.64 km – AHEAD through the first long tunnel and carry on along the levada. AHEAD through the small tunnel.. 

NOTE: You will have to traverse through two long tunnels. Headlamps are essential, and please remember to look up as well as down as the headroom / shoulder room is limited in parts. 

10.47 km – AHEAD through the last tunnel. 

NOTE: You can shorten the last section of the walk and reach the hotel sooner. In this case, go AHEAD on the concrete way located at a lower level next to the end of the tunnel. This road will zig-zag down to the main tarmac road, where you must TURN RIGHT and walk 600m down to the hotel. 

11.00 km – TURN LEFT at the end of the tunnel, following the flow and the sign ENCUMEADA 1,4km. At the picnic place viewpoint, the hotel’s red roof is clearly visible below. 

12.08 km – 200m after the house, BEAR RIGHT down the flight of stairs to reach the road. This is the end of the yellow and red markers’ track. The ENCUMEADA PASS overlooks the Ribeira Brava Valley to the south and the São Vicent Valley to the north. 

After enjoying a rest, AHEAD down the road with the bus shelter on your left-hand side, past the stairs. 

NOTE: On the second bend of the road, take notice of the path starting there. The day 6 standard walk goes along this way. 

13.40 km – At the HOTEL ENCUMEADA, you have reached you destination.