- Aparados da Serra National Park
Aparados da Serra National Park
The Aparados da Serra National Park is one of the oldest and most emblematic parks in Brazil. Located on the border between Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina, with main access through the town of Cambará do Sul (RS), the park is home to one of the most iconic landscapes in Brazil: the Itaimbezinho Canyon. With about 5.8 km in length and vertical walls that exceed 700 meters in height, the canyon impresses not only for its size, but for the scenic strength of its landscapes sculpted over millions of years.
The park’s structure was carefully designed to provide an accessible and unforgettable experience. Light, well-marked trails lead to strategically placed viewpoints, revealing panoramic angles that seem to have come straight out from an epic movie. With a short walk, it is already possible to admire waterfalls such as Véu de Noiva and Andorinhas, and observe the incredible diversity of fauna and flora of the Atlantic Forest that inhabits the edges and interior of the canyons.
Aparados da Serra is part of the Caminhos dos Cânions do Sul Geopark, which is recognized by Unesco, and is part of a conservation effort that values both the natural and cultural heritage of the region. The name “Aparados” is not by chance. When reaching the edge, the feeling is that the mountain has been trimmed sharply, creating vertical chasms that extend for miles. More than a tour, visiting the park is a journey of connection with the grandeur of nature.
When to go
The park is a four-season destination. In autumn and winter (April to October) the weather is usually drier, the sky is clearer, and trails have better conditions. In winter (June to August), despite the cold, there are more chances to see the canyons free of fog, providing incredible panoramic views. In the summer (December to March), rains are more frequent, causing the closure of trails, such as Rio do Boi.
How to get there
The main access to the park is through Cambará do Sul (Rio Grande do Sul), which is about 190 km from Porto Alegre. The Rio do Boi trail, in turn, starts in Praia Grande (Santa Catarina), at approximately 1h30 from Cambará do Sul.
Opening hours
Tuesday to Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with check-in allowed until 3 p.m.
Curiosities
Clouds that rise from the abyss
It is common to witness, especially in the early morning or after a rain, a curious phenomenon: the fog that seems to “rise” from the interior of the canyon, as if it were being expelled from the earth. This effect happens because of the thermal difference between the warm air outside, and the humid and cool microclimate inside the canyon, creating a magical and almost mystical atmosphere.
Photo: Juliani Dondossola
One of the largest concentrations of birds of prey in Brazil
The vertical walls of Itaimbezinho serve as a nest and shelter for several species of birds of prey, such as the gavião-pato, the carcará, and even the rare falcão-relógio. With a little luck and silence, it is possible to observe these birds gliding between the abysses. A spectacle of wild nature in its purest state.
Flavors of the Mountain and pine nut traditions
The cuisine is a dive into the cultural identity of the region. After the trails, the wood stove emanates aromas of polenta with colonial cheese, carreteiro rice and the traditional campeiro barbecue, always together with the inseparable chimarrão. The pine nut, which is the seed of the araucarias, is the great star of the autumn (April to June), being present in recipes and celebrations such as the Pine Nut Festival, in São José dos Ausentes. Eating there is also getting to know the history that pulsates from the fields and the araucarias.
Itaimbezinho Canyon
The giant that makes the park famous. It can be visited through two trails: Cotovelo and Vértice.
Cotovelo Trail
Ideal for those looking for the widest view of the Itaimbezinho Canyon, with access to three incredible viewpoints. The 6-km trail (round trip) is considered light.
Vértice Trail
2 km-extension (round trip) along a light, accessible, and partially paved trail, leading to a viewpoint with a front view of the beginning of Itaimbezinho Canyon. Ideal for contemplation and photography.
Rio do Boi Trail
A challenging expedition through the interior of the canyon, crossing rocks and rivers, feeling the magnitude of the walls from bottom to top. A 16-km round trip covered in approximately 7 hours. The route starts in Praia Grande (Santa Catarina), and requires prior scheduling and mandatory guidance by an accredited driver/tour guide. The trail is considered medium/difficult (more recommended between April and August).
Andorinhas and Véu da Noiva Waterfalls
These are the postcards of Itaimbezinho Canyon, and they can be observed from both, the Cotovelo Trail and the Vértice Trail. Andorinhas Waterfall rises in the river that crosses the park, and plummets between narrow crevices in the canyon, while the Véu da Noiva Waterfall, with its more voluminous fall, stands out for its elegance and shape that gives the landscape its name.
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