Trails
Lombada da Ponta do Sol
A circular walk above Ponta do Sol that links two levadas
The place
Lombada da Ponta do Sol is a circular walk that starts and ends at Sítio da Lombada, above Ponta do Sol, and links two levadas: the Levada do Moinho and the Levada Nova. It covers 7.8 km with about 520 metres of climbing, rated moderate, with striking mountain views throughout.
The Levada do Moinho is the more irregular and technically tougher of the two, while the Levada Nova section calls for some care because of its altitude. A longer loop starts at the harbour in Ponta do Sol and climbs through Lombada, making about 16 km that takes nearly ten hours of walking and is rated hard.
Highlights
- The Levada do Moinho section, the more irregular and technically tougher of the two levadas.
- The Levada Nova stretch, where the altitude calls for care.
- The steps behind the church in Lombada, which lead up to the Levada do Moinho on the longer loop.
- Striking mountain views throughout the loop.
When to come
Pick a dry day, since the Moinho levada is the technically tougher section and wet rock is slippery. Allow a few hours for the 7.8 km loop.
Getting there
The loop starts and ends at Sítio da Lombada, above Ponta do Sol. The longer 16 km loop starts at the harbour in Ponta do Sol, where you climb through Lombada to join the levada.
Worth knowing
- Distance and climb: 7.8 km with about 522 metres of ascent and 512 metres of descent.
- Difficulty: moderate on the 7.8 km loop; the longer 16 km loop is rated hard.
- Time: about nine hours and 58 minutes of walking for the longer loop.
- Tunnel: the longer loop passes a tunnel on the Moinho levada before a waterfall, so bring a torch.
- Altitude: the Levada Nova section calls for care because of its height, so keep to the path.
- Warnings: the only warning for the 7.8 km loop concerns altitude on the Levada Nova.