Trails
Levada do Moinho
From Lombada church into a gorge of waterfalls
The place
This Levada do Moinho starts behind the church at Lombada, above Ponta do Sol, beside an old watermill, and follows its channel for about 4 km into a narrow gorge. It is almost level, at about 310 to 330 m, and takes about an hour each way.
The gorge is the reason to come. Several waterfalls fall along the way, one beside a bench and a water tap, and at the head of the walk the path passes beneath another. There are steep drops beside the path, mostly but not entirely fenced. At the top end the higher Levada Nova leads back towards Lombada, making a loop of about 9 km; it is more exposed, with no railings, and has a dark tunnel behind a waterfall. This walk is not the official PR 7 Levada do Moinho, which is elsewhere on the island and was listed as closed in November 2026.
Highlights
- Waterfalls along the gorge, one of which the path passes beneath.
- A watermill and the church of Lombada at the start.
- A level channel at about 320 m, about an hour each way.
- The Levada Nova above it, for a loop of about 9 km.
When to come
A dry, calm day; the waterfalls are fullest after wet weather, but the path is then slippery.
Getting there
Start at the Igreja da Lombada above Ponta do Sol, with a small car park beside the church and a bus stop at the Lombada viewpoint nearby.
Worth knowing
- Distance and time: about 4.0 km one way, about an hour.
- Climb: about 30 m; the channel is almost level.
- Difficulty: moderate, for the drops beside the path.
- Loop: return on the Levada Nova for about 9 km in all; bring a torch for its tunnel and avoid it if heights bother you.
- Facilities: cafés, toilets and drinking water by the church at Lombada.
- Status: in early 2026 a sign at the start was reported to restrict access; check before you go.
- Fee: none; this is not an official PR trail.