Estrada da Serra Geral Aparados da Serra Canyonlands
Canyon rim drive through Brazil's highland escarpment
The Estrada da Serra Geral traces the escarpment edge where Brazil’s highland plateau drops 900 meters to the coastal plain below. Ancient basalt flows created this landscape 130 million years ago, carving deep canyons like Itaimbezinho and Fortaleza that slice through the tableland like geological scars. The route winds along knife-edge ridges where araucaria pines cling to clifftops, and waterfalls plunge into misty chasms filled with endangered Atlantic Forest remnants.
Moderate difficulty requiring high-clearance vehicles for the unpaved sections threading between canyon overlooks. Wet season (November-March) turns clay roads into tire-sucking quagmires, while winter brings occasional snow and ice to these 1,200-meter elevations. Bring warm gear and rain protection, plus camping equipment for overnight stays at designated areas within Aparados da Serra National Park. This drive delivers some of Brazil’s most spectacular scenery, where you can stand on canyon rims and watch hawks soar below your feet.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 89 mi / 143 km |
| Duration | 2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 3937 ft |
| Best season | April-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD recommended |
| Nearest town | Cambará do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul |
| Land manager | Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.