Everything about Levada totally explained
A
levada (Portuguese for "led") is an irrigation channel or
aqueduct on the island of
Madeira in the
Atlantic Ocean (about 500 miles southwest of
Portugal).
The levadas originated out of the necessity of bringing large amounts of water from the west and northwest of the island to the drier southeast, which is more conducive to habitation and agriculture (such as
sugar cane production). In the sixteenth century the Portuguese started building levadas to carry water to the agricultural regions. The most recent were made in the 1940s. Madeira is very mountainous, and building the levadas was often difficult. Many are cut into the sides of mountains, and it was also necessary to dig 25 miles of tunnels.
Today the levadas not only supply water to the southern parts of the island but provide hydro-electric power. There are over 1,350 miles of levadas and they provide a remarkable network of walking paths. Some provide easy and relaxing walks through beautiful countryside, but others are narrow, crumbling ledges where a slip could result in serious injury or death.
A popular levada to hike is the
Levada do Caldeirão Verde which continues as the
Levada Caldeirão do Inferno. Together it's about 23 miles long. Along both parts there are long sections which shouldn't be attempted by hikers prone to vertigo; and several tunnels for which flashlights and helmets are essential. The
Levada do Canical is a much easier walk. This levada runs 7.1 miles from
Maroços to the
Canical Tunnel. It is known as the
mimosa levada because
acacias (commonly misnamed
mimosas) are found all along the route.
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