Trilho das Levadas

The trail starts at the picnic area in the village of Granja, in the parish of Mões. Follow the markers and signs across the Rebolinças ridge (part of the mountain range), where you’ll be treated to a fantastic view of the Paiva River. Before reaching the riverbank, you’ll find an information sign indicating an alternative route that will be useful in case the water level is high. This river has played—and continues to play—a major role in the lives of the local population and their traditions, whether in the milling of grains—which took place at various mills, notably the former Rabaçosa milling plant Rabaçosa, whether in fishing—as a recreational and sporting activity—or for irrigating the fields, where water is channeled through irrigation ditches or levadas.

Along the route, there are several points of interest that deserve special attention, such as the Porto Seixo Mine— though entering it is not recommended—the Toqueiro Waterfall, the Soutos do Redondelo, the mills and Alpoldras da Ponte—which are still used today to cross the Mau River, a tributary of the Paiva River—and the Moinho da Ribeira, a community mill.

Toward the end of the route, once in the village, the walk through the Canastros and Palheiros do Fojo is a highlight.