Itaimbezinho Canyon

Itaimbezinho Canyon is the most famous and considered one of the most beautiful in the region. I confess that I find it difficult to measure the beauties, because they are all beautiful and each one with a unique charm.

The stone walls have an approximate height of 700 meters and a width of 600 meters between them.

Tip: set aside one to two days to get to know him. Bring food, water and have fun!

how to get to the park – Itaimbezinho Canyon

The park belongs in part to Santa Catarina and another part to Rio Grande do Sul, belonging to the Aparados da Serra National Park.

You can arrive by car, bus, bicycle or whatever you prefer. Just don't forget that everything that goes down one hour will have to go up, or vice versa.

If you are in Porto Alegre or Canela, Gramado, the ideal is to go towards Cambará do Sul. In Porto Alegre gives around 185 km and Lawn on average 113 km. After arriving in Cambará do Sul, for another 21 km of dirt road, you will reach the park.

However, if you are in Santa Catarina or Torres, the ideal is go up Praia Grande, city that is at the bottom of the canyons and I confess that this city is a charm!

the distance from towers to the park entrance is 60 km and from Florianopolis is 300km.

To access the park, it is necessary to climb the Faxinal mountain range for 23 km of dirt and asphalt road.

Tip: if you intend to do the Rio do Boi trail, you don't need to go up to the park. Remembering that you need a guide, as I will talk later.

park entrance – Itaimbezinho Canyon

Individual value: R$35.00 passport for two days R$55.00.

From December 2021, a different amount will be charged.

Individual: R$50.00 and passport for two days: R$ 80.00.

activities in the park

The park is an invitation to enjoy a nice picnic, sitting and enjoying its beauty.

It is possible to have picnics anywhere, in addition to the three trails that I will describe below.

Boi river trail – Itaimbezinho Canyon

This trail needs to be made with guide! There are 14 kilometers of trail (round trip) crossing the Rio do boi several times, passing through rocks, along its slopes and enjoying the beauty of the route such as waterfalls and its natural pools.

Duration of this trail is around 6 to 7 hours, it all depends on the group's pace.

Its access is through the city of Praia Grande, you will need to go down the mountain.

Trail difficulty level: medium to hard

 The water is low and your legs will get wet and of course, if it's hot, you'll want to take the opportunity to take a delicious bath. Even the water is very cold!

Tip: it is possible to get water from the river itself to drink, so don't carry a heavy bottle of water, because you can refill it on the way.

Elbow Trail

This trail is made through the upper part of the canyon, it is quieter, but long! There are 6 kilometers round trip, taking around 3 hours to do.

You won't need a guide, the route is all signposted, starting at the park's headquarters, you will pass by beautiful viewpoints that will give you the classic photos with the walls in the background!

Tip: the ideal is to take your lunch and enjoy the scenery.

Difficulty level: easy to average.

Vertex Trail

It is also made through the upper part of the canyons departing from the park's headquarters. Its distance is super short, with 1.4 kilometers of distance, taking around 40 minutes of walking (round trip).

Difficulty level: easy

On this route you will arrive at the first viewpoint and dazzle the beauty of the Cascata das Andorinhas! There are approximately 200 meters of waterfall that fall into the Rio do Boi (lower part of the Canyon).

Following, you will arrive at a second viewpoint and enjoy the Véu da Noiva Waterfall. There are approximately 289 meters of waterfall and they also fall into the Rio do Boi.

Finally, at the third viewpoint with a perfect view of the waterfalls and the Itaimbezinho Canyon, which has a vertex shape, which is the origin of the trail's name.

important tips

• Fuel up your car in Cambará do Sul or Praia Grande, there are no gas stations along the mountain route;
• Don't forget to bring a bottle of water and food;
• Put repellent and take it with you to reapply, because in the middle of the forest there are always mosquitoes, in the summer the incidence is higher;
• If you intend to do all the trails in the park, reserve a day to do only the one in Rio do Boi. The other two can be done on the same day.
• If you prefer to do the Rio do Boi trail last, you can stay at inns near Praia Grande.
• If you prefer to do the trails in the upper part of the canyon first, there are the inns in Cambará do Sul.
• Traveling on the road at night is dangerous, it is best to avoid it. There are very tight curves and if it's foggy it's even more difficult to see.

Finally, we hope you enjoyed our tips! This place is charming and we are sure you will want to enjoy every minute of it!

Also access:

Guitar Lagoon – Torres RS

What to do in Torres – the most beautiful city in RS

Things to do in Aparados da Serra and Serra Geral

Praia Grande SC