Serra da Capivara Petroglyphs Trail
25,000 years of rock art and technical sandstone
The Serra da Capivara Petroglyphs Trail winds 85 kilometers through sandstone canyons containing over 30,000 prehistoric rock paintings, some dating back 25,000 years—making this one of humanity’s oldest art galleries. The route follows ancient Indigenous paths between archaeological sites, crossing technical terrain where Pedra Furada’s natural arch serves as both landmark and gateway to the park’s most remote sectors. Flash floods have carved slot canyons so narrow your mirrors brush the walls, while loose sandstone ledges demand precise wheel placement to avoid catastrophic drops into the Caatinga scrubland below.
High-clearance 4WD is mandatory for the backcountry sections, with rock sliders strongly recommended for the technical descents near Toca do Paraguaio. Dry season (May-October) is the only viable window—summer rains turn arroyos into death traps within minutes. Park permits are required and rangers actually check, so handle the bureaucracy in São Raimundo Nonato before heading out. What you get is access to archaeological sites that predate European civilization by millennia, plus technical driving through terrain that looks more like Utah than Brazil.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | Archaeological, Historic, Remote, Technical |
| Length (miles) | 53 mi / 85 km |
| Duration | 2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2100 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD with armor |
| Nearest town | São Raimundo Nonato, Piauí |
| Land manager | ICMBio - Instituto Chico Mendes |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | icmbio.gov.br |
| 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
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Hilux or Jimny handle this trail, or do I need a built rig?
A stock high-clearance 4WD will struggle — the sandstone shelves and loose rock sections demand skid plates, a bash bar, and ideally rock sliders. Underbody armor is not optional here; the geology will find every unprotected panel.
Is the trail accessible in November or December?
No. The Caatinga wet season runs roughly November through April, and the trail becomes impassable — water crossings flood, sandstone gets slick, and ICMBio typically restricts access. Stick to May through October.
Do I need a permit, and how do I get one before showing up?
Yes, a permit is required through ICMBio — contact the park administration directly at icmbio.gov.br/parnaserra before your trip. Solo self-guided access into the interior is heavily restricted; expect to coordinate with park staff and possibly require a licensed guide for the archaeological zones.
What's the hardest section and what makes it technical?
The exposed sandstone shelf crossings mid-trail are the crux — angled slabs with minimal traction, loose scree on the exits, and no recovery room on the downhill side. Tire selection matters here; aggressive all-terrains outperform highway-biased rubber significantly on wet sandstone.
There's zero cell service — what's the nearest fuel stop and how far out am I if something goes wrong?
São Raimundo Nonato is your last fuel point before the trail, roughly 30km from the park entrance — fill to the brim and carry reserve. A satellite communicator is non-negotiable on this route; the nearest mechanical help is hours of rough road away and ICMBio rangers are not a guaranteed rescue service.
Trail track
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