MADEIRA'S LEVADAS
Are you afraid of heights? Do you find
yourself breathless after a steep climb? Not to worry. This
levada walk will be perfect for you!
Begun as far back as the 1400's, this system
of water irrigation was begun to bring the precious resource of
water found in the higher elevations and northern side of the
island to the dryer eastern half. Were it not for this extensive
irrigation system, the extensive variety of vegetation found on
the island might not exist.
Many lives were lost in the construction of the
levada system. Upon seeing the location of some of these ditches
it's easy to see why. In some locations, the ditches were
literally carved along the sides of mountains. Workers were
lowered into position in wicker baskets to do their digging. In
other locations tunnels were dug through mountains. One need only
walk along a few of these levadas to be amazed as to how the
workers (let alone carrying the necessary tools) gained access to
some areas.
The paths that one walks on during a "levada
walk" were not put there for the convenience of hikers or tourists.
They are there for access by maintenance workers. Of course, due
to the popularity of the levada walks, better paths exist in some
locations as a result of regular use.
There are areas, however,
where you may find yourself walking along a path just barely able
to accommodate the width of your body, with a two foot wide levada
and steep slope on one side and a precarious wooden fence
"protecting" you from a very steep drop on the other side.
Skillful maneuvering is sometimes a must as you encounter hikers
coming from the opposite direction with less than adequate land
area to move and allow passage!
During my July 1996 trip one of my cousins
introduced me to the beauty and enjoyment of the levada walks.
Should you ever visit the island of Madeira and feel so inclined,
it will be well worth your time to go on at least one of the basic
walks. No matter how basic, it's important to go with someone
familiar with the levadas and the various walks. Guidebooks are
available that provide maps and ratings of the various walks.
Weather on the island of Madeira varies as much
as the variety of terrain found on the island. Even during the
summer when I was there,
you can experience bone chilling cold at one time of day and
uncomfortable heat at another time. Within a matter of minutes
you can find yourself walking along a beautiful sunlit path to
suddenly find yourself enveloped in a fog.
Should your walk take you to one of the many tunnels,
you may find yourself immersed in total darkness for 15 or more
minutes (unless you've remembered to bring one of the basic tools
for a walk: a flashlight).
So, why go on a levada walk? I found that as
beautiful as the island of Madeira is, you can't truly appreciate
it's beauty until you move into the inland areas where no roads
can take you. The views, the sounds, and the atmosphere in
general are well worth the effort.