Canal de Nohèdes

Today's walk took us high above Nohèdes to around 1000 metres. There were still some patches of snow despite the recent warm weather. I am always amazed at the effort and ingenuity of previous generations who built in the mountains. The little village of around 100 inhabitants is well away from the main valley and quite isolated. In the 19th century they built an irrigation canal 8 kms long that follows the contour half way up the mountain. Given the fact that it was built by hand and needed, in places, considerable dry stone retaining walls, it was quite an engineering achievement and well as requiring a prodigious amount of labour. It has fallen into decay but we were able to follow its course and enjoy the spectacular open views it afforded.