Trails
Vereda da Fajã da Nogueira
From the Fajã da Nogueira power station up to a levada of tunnels
The place
The Fajã da Nogueira lies deep in a valley below the central massif, where a hydroelectric power station dating from 1971 turns the water of the high north into electricity. That water arrives by the Levada da Serra do Faial, which collects it at the Caldeirão do Inferno and brings it through the mountain to the station's loading chamber.
The walk climbs from the station, at about 625 m, up a track to the levada at about 980 m, then follows the channel round the head of the valley, past waterfalls and through tunnels of up to about 240 m, and finally through a tunnel about 2.4 km long towards the Caldeirão do Inferno. In all it is about 7.1 km one way with about 510 m of climbing, roughly three hours. The path is not maintained: railings are broken, landslides have damaged it and there are big drops.
Highlights
- The Fajã da Nogueira power station, dating from 1971, at the start.
- Waterfalls around the head of the valley.
- Tunnels on the levada, the last about 2.4 km long.
- Views of the central massif from the levada.
When to come
Dry, settled weather only; after rain the waterfalls pour over the path, the tunnels drip and the access road can need a four-wheel drive.
Getting there
From the old stone bridge at the entrance to the valley, a gravel road of about 4 km leads to the power station; in dry weather an ordinary car can manage it, but after rain or landslides it may need a four-wheel drive, so be ready to walk it.
Worth knowing
- Distance and time: about 7.1 km one way, about three hours.
- Climb: about 510 m, mostly on the track up from the power station.
- Difficulty: moderate on the numbers, but the path is unmaintained, with broken railings, landslide damage and big drops.
- Tunnels: bring a strong torch and a spare; the last tunnel is about 2.4 km long, and turning back at its entrance is the safer choice.
- Navigation: there are no signposts, so load the route before you go; the path starts just to the right of the power station.
- Fee: none; this is not an official PR trail.
