Matas da Agualva

Matas da Agualva follows streams and forest tracks connected with the local history of water, farming and timber. From the mill on Rua do Saco, the circuit traces the bank among terraced orchards, ruins of other mills, former waterwheels and channels. Small waterfalls punctuate the climb to Parque das Frechas, with the watercourse providing the thread through the first section.

Higher up, the route enters woodland and reaches Varanda sobre Agualva, where the valley and parish appear between the trees. Atalho Alto follows an old forestry work track. Goat shelters, drainage channels, Ribeira da Silveira and traces of the former water supply to the Lajes air base add different layers of land use. Returning to the mill completes a walk where running water, forest and rural heritage remain closely connected, showing how the valley supported varied activities over time.

Varanda sobre Agualva forms a pause between the streamside ascent and the more worked forest section. Its view across the valley helps locate the line already travelled and shows how streams, orchards and settlement occupy the same slope. This perspective gives context to the drainage and supply structures encountered afterwards.

Begin at the mill on Rua do Saco and follow the stream among orchards, mill ruins, waterwheels, channels and small waterfalls to Parque das Frechas. Continue upstream on forest tracks to Varanda sobre Agualva. Follow Atalho Alto past shelters, drainage channels and Ribeira da Silveira, then keep to the waymarks by traces of the former water supply. The descent leads back to the mill. After Ribeira da Silveira, keep to the indicated descent to close the circuit at the mill.