Home to the greatest biodiversity of flora and fauna in the world, Brazil is a country with changing landscapes. From Rio de Janeiro to the most remote beaches, crossing jungles and deserts doused by the sea, these are some of the best trails.
LessIn the state of Rio de Janeiro, there is what many believe to be the most beautiful trail in Brazil. Between the cities of Petrópolis and Teresópolis, we will go deeper into the Serra dos Órgãos National Park, which is named after the shape of its mountain peaks, similar to that of the pipes of the organ. An environment dotted with waterfalls, like the “Véu da Noiva” (the Bride’s Veil), and with the peak “Pedra do Sino” (Bell Rock) as the highest point at 2,263 m.
Located in the state of Maranhão, along the northeast coast of Brazil, the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park is a natural treasure of dunes and lagoons. A unique landscape of sand and blue and green waters, which makes for the best kind of mirages on Brazilian terrain. There are 70 km of coastline (270 km in perimeter) with vast stretches of dunes that go from the coast to inland. Do not miss out on the chance to get refreshed in one of the lagoons here!
If you have already been to Salvador (in the state of Bahia), enjoyed their Carnaval and eaten the best “moqueca de aratu” (crab stew), now the Chapada Diamantina National Park awaits you. Named after the diamonds found in the 19th century, here you can find one of the most fascinating hiking havens in Brazil where you can discover the spectacular “Cachoeira da Fumaça” (Smoke Waterfall), with a free fall of 340 meters, the second highest in the country.
Camping at the top of the mountain is one of the most emotional experiences to live. If you want to do so in Brazil, one of the best places for this is the Cartuva Peak (1,860 m) zone, an icon in the state of Paraná. The trail first crosses the Morro do Getúlio and later goes up the peak on the Conquista Path. The Caratuva Peak has the perfect views of the Paraná Peak (1,877 m), the highest mountain in Paraná and the south of Brazil. If possible, do not forget to see the sunset or sunrise!
“Ilhabela” (the Beautiful Isle) is a paradise near São Paulo which can be reached by ferry. It is an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean where some of Brazil’s most famous beaches can be explored: Castelhanos and Bonete. Taking on this trip, both beaches will be linked. However, it is also possible to opt only to go to the closer one, Castelhanos. From the city of Ilhabela, after going through the vegetation and the waterfalls of the state park, we will reach the coast, where both beaches are.
The “Morro Dois Irmãos” (Two Brothers Rock) is an emblem of the city of Rio de Janeiro and has inspired poets such as Chico Buarque. From the Vidigal favela, you can take on a short hiking trail until you reach one of the most beautiful vantage points in Brazil: the Leblon region and the paradisiacal Ipanema Beach. The Morro Dois Irmãos peak (533 m) will not only give you a beautiful photo opp, but it will also put all of Brazil in the palm of your hand.
The most authentic of Brazil’s charm is in Florianópolis, where we will be able to commemorate the legacy of the fishermen that lived in the region at the start of the 20th century. The trail kicks off from the Açores Beach and finishes off at the crown jewel: Naufragados Beach. On the way, there are some of the best views of the Brazilian coast, like the panorama of the Araçatuba Island, with the remains of the Nossa Senhora da Conceição de Araçatuba Fortress, often surrounded by waves.
Imagine a place where you can walk alongside a waterfall and jump into a natural pool. This is how the Alto Paraíso de Goiás plans on making it worth your while to go, where various waterfalls can be found like the Cachoeira da Muralha or the Cachoeira de São Vicente (better-known as the Catarata dos Couros). An environment with nearby waterfalls at 100 meters high, which also allows for relaxing and swimming in their natural pools created after the falling water.
The Itatiaia National Park is located on the border between the states of Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro and is recognized as the first national park in Brazil. The wild scenery makes for a thrilling trail towards the “Pico das Agulhas Negras” (Black Needles Peak) at 2,791 meters in altitude. This is a genuine adventure which does require safety equipment such as rope and a harness.
The adventure along the “Trilha das Sete Praias” (Seven Beaches Trail) begins on the Lagoinha Beach and comes to an end at Fortaleza Beach, going past the seven beaches: Oeste, Peres, Bonete, Grande do Bonete, Deserto, Prainha and Cedro. Beaches that make up an amazing trail in Ubatuba, in the state of São Paulo. It is a path that allows us to spot sailboats from between the branches and explore lush jungles with a soundtrack of sounds of nature.