The Santa Cruz Levada, next to the Engenheiro Duarte Pacheco Dam, is a true hidden treasure. In fact, if it were not for the sign to mark the place, the truth is that it would go completely unnoticed. Located in the municipality of Vale de Cambra, already in the territory of the Magic Mountains, the Santa Cruz Levada is a small trail of about 1 km to each side.
Coming from a small tributary of the Caima River, which flows into Poço do Pisão (where we also wanted to go, but had no chance), we found this levada.
For those visiting the Dam, this small trail is located on the left side, and always follows a dirt track, side by side with the water channel.
Serving to feed the irrigation of Santa Cruz, this small route is extremely interesting due to the fauna and flora that it presents: in addition to several trees and plants, namely ferns, several animals appear, especially the dragonflies.
Being a small path, the Santa Cruz Levada may go unnoticed, but it certainly becomes memorable.
the santa cruz levada is a small 1km path that follows the river caima
The route takes us along a small trail, completely surrounded by nature, with the levada on our right and the Rio Caima on our left. However, in the final part, we had the misfortune that, as it is a time of great humidity, the path was presenting some danger.
Consequently, and for safety reasons, we decided to go back and, as so, we were unable to explore Poço do Pisão - which is connected by this route with the Levada.
Although we do not had the opportunity to visit this other destination, we recommend anyone who is more fortunate at the time of the visit, and if the path presents security, to follow the path until they reach this (other) hidden treasure. Certainly the path will be worth it.
how to get there and where to park?
As mentioned earlier, Levada is located on the left bank of the reservoir. And it is only on this side that parking is available.
To make it easier for those looking to get here, the GPS (from Google Maps) identifies this location. If you use another one, do not come along the side of Rôge, as there is no parking on this side. So, our recommendation is that you shoud follow the roud that goes thru the Rua da Batalha (Battle Road), passing by the towns of Santa Cruz and Passô.
At the destination (only on the left bank) there are three parking spaces that, at least at the time of our visit, were all unoccupied. In the process we also recommend that you take the opportunity to see the Dam and cross the bridge next to the water dike.
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