Starting from the Regional Road, adjacent to the Serra de Água church entrance, you can choose two destinations: The Curral das Freiras church in a walk of 14 kilometres and the duration of 5 to 6 hours or the Miradouro da Encumeada in an extension of 8 kilometres and the duration of 3 to 4 hours.
It is in the Lombo do Moleiro, near the road tunnel of 3000 metres that connects Serra de Água to São Vicente, that this path starts. The ascent of Lombo do Moleiro until Curral Jangão it is exhaustive. The track has around two kilometres, starting with 440 meters high and finishing before reaching the 900 meters. This path goes through lands of varied plantations and, therefore, it is possible to observe the cabbage plantation growing up side by side with the plantations of broad beans and potatoes.
When entering into the forest, take note that the path is divided into two branches: the softer one, on the left, which reaches to the Levada do Norte, Hydroelectric Central, Serra de Água and Pousada dos Vinháticos and the harder one which takes the direction to Curral Jangão.
At Curral do Jangão, the ascent path to Lombo do Moleiro meets the old road between Câmara de Lobos and Encumeada. Here, it is possible to decide either to walk in direction of Chão da Relva or take the direction of Encumeada. From Chão da Relva it is possible to follow until the forest mark of Boca da Corrida or to go down to Fajã Escura, in Curral das Freiras, crossing the Ribeira dos Socorridos. There are slippery paths and with some declivity, thus it is highly advisable the use of a stick.
During this course you will be overwhelmed with the Small-leaved Holly (Ilex Canariensis), Bay Trees (Laurus azorica), Madeira Mahogany (Persea indica), Picconia (Picconia excelsa), Sweet Chestnuts (Castanea sativa Miller), Eucalyptus, (Eucalyptus globulus Labill), Purple Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea L.)and some Ferns (Dryopteris maderensis Alston).
Bibliography
Quintal, Raimundo (2004). Levadas e Veredas da Madeira. Funchal: Francisco Ribeiro & Filhos, Lda.
