- Serra Geral National Park
Serra Geral National Park
Neighboring the Aparados da Serra National Park, and also included in the territory of Caminhos dos Cânions do Sul Geopark, the Serra Geral National Park offers an experience of magnitude and silence. The imposing Fortaleza Canyon, one of the largest and deepest in Brazil, is located there, with walls that reach 900 meters in height and panoramic views that reveal the grandeur of Serra Geral. Its name comes from the resemblance of the walls to the walls of a giant medieval castle, extending for 7.5 km and reaching widths of up to 2 km.
More than a theatrical setting, the park is a natural refuge that thrills with its strength and serenity. In addition to the canyons, the park protects a rich transition of biomes. High-altitude grasslands dominate the scenario, swept by a constant wind that shapes the undergrowth, while araucaria forests and areas of Atlantic Forest become home to rare species of fauna and flora.
The trails are invitations to introspection by walking on the edge of the world with nothing but the horizon ahead, leading to unforgettable viewpoints, hidden waterfalls and silent valleys. On clear days, the view from the top of Fortaleza is one of the few places in Brazil where you can see the mountain cliff, the coastal plain and the Atlantic Ocean in a single visual frame. This is an ideal destination for both, those seeking contemplation and adventurers on long and challenging trails.
When to go
The park can be visited at any time of the year. In autumn (April to June) and winter (July to September), the weather is drier and there is greater visibility at the viewpoints. Cold mornings and clear skies favor trails and canyon viewing. Spring (September to December) brings the flowering of high-altitude plants, while in the summer (December to March), rainfall is more frequent and can make it difficult to access internal trails, which are not recommended at this time of the year.
How to get there
The park is located on the border between Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul, with two main accesses: through Cambará do Sul (Rio Grande do Sul), you reach the upper part of the Fortaleza Canyon, while through Praia Grande (Santa Catarina), it is possible to access the trails in the interior of the canyons.
Opening hours
Wednesday to Monday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Check-in until 4 p.m. | Always closed on Tuesdays.
Curiosities
Water 'nursery'
The park is not just stones. It’s water. It protects vital springs that feed both the Uruguay River basin (which flows to the inland part of the continent) and the rivers that flow down into the Atlantic Ocean. You will be stepping into a gigantic natural water tank that supplies millions of people.
Mysteries of the Fortaleza Canyon
Shrouded in dense and sudden fogs, the Fortaleza Canyon has gained fame among locals and visitors alike, as a magical and mysterious place. Legend has it that the echoes heard between the rocks are voices of ancient peoples who lived in the mountains. Reality or imagination, the feeling of being in a sacred place is real.
Drovers on mountain trails
Long before the arrival of tourists and adventurers, the mountain trails were traveled by drovers, who transported cattle, salt and goods between southern Brazil and other regions. This culture is still alive in neighboring cities, where it is common to hear old stories and taste recipes inherited from that time.
Fortaleza Canyon
The largest and most imposing in the region. Its edges are less straight than those of Itaimbezinho, being full of cutouts that create an epic movie set.
Fortaleza Viewpoint Trail
A 3.2-km walk uphill (round trip) that compensates for each step. The top offers a 360º view of the canyon. On one side, the vertiginous abyss; on the other, the fields of altitude and the infinite horizon. And, if the weather permits, you may see the ocean waves crashing at Torres Beach, miles away.
Borda do Sul Trail
Less frequented, it connects the main viewpoint of Fortaleza Canyon to the viewpoint of Tigre Preto waterfall. It offers a long, quiet walk along the canyon rim, ideal for nature photography and watching the birds of prey.
Tigre Preto Waterfall Trail
This 2-km round-trip trail leads to the upper part of the waterfall that plummets into the Fortaleza Canyon. The path crosses open fields and offers amazing angles of the waterfall.
Pedra do Segredo Trail
This is a stone that is a block of rock 5 meters high and 30 tons, mysteriously balanced on a tiny base of only 50 centimeters. The trail is about 2 km long (round trip) and leads to a point where the longest extension of the Fortaleza Canyon can be seen.
Trail inside the Malacara Canyon
The beginning of the trail is through the river, but most of it takes place on trails very well marked by the forest that borders the river. At some points there are viewpoints of the mountains, as well as waterfalls, some wells for bathing and views of the mountains.
Trail inside the Churriado Canyon
Lesser-known but equally enchanting, this trail reveals a narrow and quiet canyon. The walk is inside the canyon, along the riverbed, with great spots for bathing.
Tigre Preto Trail
Not to be confused with the trail that leads to the top of Tigre Preto Waterfall. Here, you travel along the riverbed inside the canyon, crossing waters and rocks, in an intense tour that requires the guidance of an accredited tour guide.
Índios Coroados Canyon
One of the most preserved and silent canyons in the region, with a perfect viewpoint to observe the immensity and see the union between the Aparados da Serra and Serra Geral Parks. Its name honors indigenous peoples in the area.
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