From Prazeres to Ponta do Pargo along the Levada Nova

Last Saturday I went on a trip to the West coast of the island. The objective was to hike the Levada Nova, between Prazeres and Ponta do Pargo. A friend, to whom I've talked about the idea, was not very supportive about it. As he pointed, "don't expect to see any Laurissilva on the way". And in truth, there wasn't any. However the landscape is quite lovely anyway. Along the way there are pine tree and eucalyptus forests, lots of agricultural fields and a few (very) small villages. And, since we were on the SW coast, the sun and nice weather were constant.

Also, the levada, built during the fifties, was recovered on the past year. The track is quite safe, without any vertiginous sections.

So, all things considered, this gentle levada is one that can be recommended for everyone. From eight to eighty years old.

The Levada Nova main pourpose is to irrigate the sunny SW agricultural fieds. So, along the way, we can see some small rural villages...

Picture taken with Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 and cheap 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 OIS Panasonic kit lens.

Post-processing in Adobe Photoshop CS3.

...and some old and abandoned houses.
Picture taken with Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 and cheap 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 OIS Panasonic kit lens.
Post-processing in Adobe Photoshop CS3.

The Levada Nova was fully recovered last year, taking advantage of some European Union funds for that matter. In the picture you can see a "levadeiros" house. These houses were built along the levadas, every few miles, and had the main function of supporting the "levadeiros" on their construction and maintenance works.

Picture taken with Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 and cheap 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 OIS Panasonic kit lens.

Post-processing in Adobe Photoshop CS3.

We finished our hike in Ponta do Pargo, although the Levada Nova was still snaking along the hills a few more miles to the West. In the small town, people were already preparing themselves for the festivities honouring Saint Peter, as you can see in the Church's decoration.

Picture taken with Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 and cheap 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 OIS Panasonic kit lens.
Post-processing in Adobe Photoshop CS3.

The lovely painted ceiling of Ponta do Pargo Church, portraying rural Madeira scenes.

Picture taken with Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 and cheap 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 OIS Panasonic kit lens.

Post-processing in Adobe Photoshop CS3.