Levada do Moinho and Levada Nova is a circular walk that starts and finishes at Lombada da Ponta do Sol, not to be confused with the Levada do Moinho that begins at Porto Moniz. I could not find a lot of information about this walk other than that it was a circular created by the joining of the two levadas and that there is a nice waterfall at the mid-point of the walk.
As it is not too long, three hours recommended, we set off in the afternoon, joining the Levada do Moinho behind the church.
The two parts of the walk are very different; even in late October the Ponto do Sol valley is very dry, quite a different landscape from the walks in the North, but still agricultural with many of the slopes planted with potatoes. The ground is baked dry by the heat and the foliage, sparse initially with lots of low level grasses and brambles and few trees which provides good views of the valley in both directions. The wind turbines can clearly be seen on top of the Paul de Serra and the valley below is steep, almost a ravine with no houses or other buildings. Unlike other walks we have done, even in autumn, there are few flowers only the occasional burst of purple Morning Glory and a spattering of Pink Headed Knotweed among the shades of green. The levada is high up on the mountain, but feels safe as there is a wide dusty path with foliage alongside, and it winds around the valley until we cross a small brook, not quite a waterfall, tumbling beneath the path. We start to see a few Fig, Laurel and Eucalyptus trees accompanied by Common Horsetail and Daisies, the aroma from the fig leaves providing a fragrant theme for the whole walk.
We climb a steep set of stone stairs, turning right at the top to join the Levada Nova. We are much higher now and the path is narrower, often having no rail and with steep drops to the valley below - concentration is essential and it becomes clear that this return journey is not for novices. We slowly and carefully make our way along the levada wall, hoping that we will not have to pass anyone on the way. The rocks overhang the levada in places and fences have been flattened, evidence of past rock falls. Quite suddenly, we hear the sound of water and the waterfall appears as we round the bend. It is quite spectacular, gushing with force from about thirty metres over the edge of the path into a pool below, the path leading behind it.
We walk around the arc of the path and then straight into a tunnel. On the other side it is silent again away from the water and the levada continues.
The rest of the walk remains high, much of it unguarded by railings with the constant presence of vertiginous drops, and it is with some relief that we reach the path that descends back into Lombada do Ponta do Sol.
We return to the car and drive to Madalena do Mar for a well-deserved drink in the sunshine to reflect upon our experience.
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