THE Serra do Rio do Rastro is considered one of the roads most spectacular in the world! It is located between Bom Jardim da Serra and Lauro Muller in Santa Catarina, it enchants everyone who passes by its sinuous curves.
Here in this post we will give many tips that how to take advantage of this entire mountain region.
Read too:
- Discover the Serras de Santa Catarina – Updated 2023
- Tips for traveling alone
- Facts about Santa Catarina
- Santa Catarina tourist attractions
Curiosities about the Serra do Rio do Rastro
Are 256 curves over 25 kilometers long, with a beautiful viewpoint over 700 meters above sea level.
History of the Serra do Rio do Rastro
The construction of the road that crosses the Serra do Rio do Rastro had its beginnings in 1950s, through the state of Santa Catarina, the main objective was to improve infrastructure and facilitate access between the cities of Lauro Müller and Bom Jardim da Serra.
Road construction was an engineering challenge due to the need to build a road steep and full of sharp curves, crossing the mountain slope. To make it happen, the hard work of countless workers was required, who faced adverse and challenging conditions.
Finally, in 1960, the inauguration of the road took place, which received the denomination of SC-390. From that moment on, Serra do Rio do Rastro quickly became a popular destination for travel and tourism enthusiasts, attracting visitors from all over the country and even abroad.
Where is Serra do Rio do Rastro: How to get there
It is located between the municipalities of Bom Jardim da Serra and Lauro Muller in the state of Santa Catarina.
To start your tour ascent will need to access the city of Laura Müller, with several accesses through the BR 101, as shown in the map below, being able to access by Criciúma or Tubarão.
Now, if you choose to descend the mountain, the route will be Sao Joaquim and Urubici, following Bom Jardim da Serra to Lauro Muller.
Distances from the capitals:
Florianópolis to Lauro Muller: 200 kilometers
Porto Alegre to Lauro Muller: 330 kilometers
Best times to enjoy the mountains from Rio do Rastro
Go uphill in the late afternoon and watch the sun set over the mountains, arriving in the city of Bom Jardim da Serra.
Stay in a hotel or inn and the next day, very early, when the sun is almost out, plan to go down the mountain.
Enjoy the sunrise from the Mirante da Serra do Rio do Rastro. This lookout is the first one there, right at the beginning of the descent. It is in this viewpoint that you can witness a spectacle of nature!
Follow the highway cameras from the Serra do Rio do Rastro
There are live cameras from the mountain, before starting your trip, check the weather conditions and if there are any accidents.
When we went up for the first time and we didn't know about the existence of cameras, we caught a lot of sawing, we had almost zero visibility, it was possible to see about 10 meters ahead. In addition to being dangerous, we were unable to see the beauty of the mountain.
So we ended up stopping at a hotel to go down the other day, that's when we discovered the cameras! When we woke up, we looked to see if it would be a beautiful day, and we continued our trip to the most beautiful sunrise.
Enjoy at an inn
There are numerous inns in Bom Jardim da Serra, some more sophisticated with fireplaces and others simpler with very affordable prices. In addition, you can stay in Urubici or Lauro Muller, where you prefer and are closer to the tourist attractions you want to visit.
If you like to plan ahead, choose and make your reservation.
Tip: during the Winter, usually the inns and hotels are more crowded, so the ideal is to guarantee your reservation!
You can already search here on the map, or check our hostel tips at the end of this article 🙂
Booking.comCheck the weather forecast to know the Serra do Rio do Rastro
Going up the mountain on cloudy or rainy days are bad choices.
If you've planned and the weather is like this on the day, prefer to postpone your trip, but don't risk it.
the rain is dangerous for several reasons: risk of accidents, lack of visibility and barriers may even fall (land slides from the slopes) and you may be locked for many hours in the same place.
stop at the lookouts from Rio do Rastro
There are 3 lookouts on the way down the mountain, take the opportunity to make your stop and take your photographs!
The first lookout has a bathroom, snack bar and convenience store, is the main with better views, the best place to take pictures and relax, it is 11 km from Bom Jardim, 20 km from Lauro Müller.
The Cascata Iluminada viewpoint has a monument to the drovers, they are symbols of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul culture:
be careful on the road
- Descend with the engine brake activated, do not put it in neutral, the brake helps to “hold the car's speed”.
- Give way to trucks: if a truck is going downhill and you are going up in curves, stop and let it pass, assess the width of the road and give preference.
- Do not keep making open curves, taking the opposite lane, it is very dangerous, another vehicle may come at high speed and not give you time to get out of the way.
- Drive always attentive, take the opportunity to dazzle the landscape in the lookouts and NOT while driving.
Serra do Rio do Rastro Marathon
For lovers of street running, this is one of the most challenging races in Brazil, those who manage to challenge the mountains and do the marathon are considered “Guardians of the mountains”.
There are two days of the event: on the first day, runners can choose between the options of 25km, 42km or 52km, that cover stretches of the Serra do Rio do Rastro and the city of Lauro Müller. On the second day, the race is 8km and takes place in an urban area.
Would you risk a run with over 2,400 meters of altimetry? 🙂
Hotels and inns in Serra do Rio do Rastro
Rio do Rastro Eco Resort
In the beautiful Serra do Rastro, this eco-friendly resort features a lake, indoor pool, hot tub, gym and restaurant. Activities include horseback riding, hiking and canoeing. The chalets offer views of the lake.
Hotel features:
- Has parking 🚗✅
- Does not accept Pet 🐶🚫
- Breakfast included ☕
- Airport transfer ✈
- Has a pool 🥽
EcoResort National Park
Wonderful space with fireplace, views of all the nature that surrounds it, a place to relax and activities in the midst of nature.
Hotel features:
- Has parking 🚗✅
- Accept Pet 🐶💚
- Breakfast included ☕
- Airport transfer ✈
Hotel Fazenda Rota dos Cânions
Guests can enjoy an array of activities in the area, including ATV tours and horse riding. Cânion do Funil can be reached within a 25-minute drive and Cânion das Laranjeiras can be reached in less than an hour.
Hotel features:
- Has parking 🚗✅
- Does not accept Pet 🐶🚫
- Breakfast included ☕
- Airport transfer ✈
- Has a pool 🥽
Where to eat in Serra do Rio do Rastro
Restaurant Rio do Rastro Eco Resort
The restaurant is sensational, located inside the Rio do Rastro Eco Resort It is open to the public external in addition to the guests, with impeccable service in addition to a refined and at the same time rustic environment that is a characteristic of the region, it has a fireplace for cold days.
The access is located in front of the access to the Serra lookout.
Address: Unnamed Road, Bom Jardim da Serra – SC, 88640-000
Tropeiro Steakhouse
Located in the heights of Serra do Rio do Rastro, a traditional environment with a breathtaking view of the Serra Catarinense, excellent service with an incredible variety of hot dishes, barbecue with the typical rib of fire from the ground and desserts with the flavors of the mountain range.
If you are in Bom Jardim da Serra, you cannot go without knowing and appreciating the entire menu. A delight!
Address: SC 390 Highway, Km 123 – Barrinha, Bom Jardim da Serra
Coffee and Business
If you're passing through, it's a great option to grab a snack and continue your journey, plus it's right in one of the park's lookouts.
What is the best month to go to Serra do Rio do Rastro?
It is possible to dazzle the mountains at any time of the year. The advantage of going during the winter is to dazzle the snowy white landscape, enjoy the inns and cafes with a mountain climate with a fireplace and pine nuts.
But if you choose to go during the summer, you can enjoy waterfall baths and many trails inside the park.
What is the best time to visit Serra do Rio do Rastro?
The time from noon to 3 pm is the one with the lowest incidence of fog and the sun is right up there. However, be sure to wait for sunrise at one of the viewpoints, this privilege is spectacular, and there will not always be fog, in some situations the composition between fog and the sun makes the scenery spectacular.
Is it dangerous to go down the Serra do Rio do Rastro?
Yes, it is dangerous to go down as well as to go up. Be very careful with your speed, respect the signs. On days of intense fog, prefer to go at a minimum speed (20 to 30km/h).
How long does it take to climb Serra do Rio do Rastro?
Depending on the speed you can take up to 40 minutes.
How many km is the ascent of Serra do Rio do Rastro?
Are 256 curves over 25 kilometers long, with a beautiful viewpoint over 700 meters above sea level.
How many curves does the Serra do Rio do Rastro have in Santa Catarina?
Are 256 curves over 25 kilometers long.
How high is the Serra do Rio do Rastro?
The main viewpoint at the highest point of the mountain range is located at an altitude of 1460 meters.
What are the closest cities to Serra do Rio do Rastro?
The closest cities to Serra do Rio do Rastro are: Urubici, São Joaquim and Lauro Mueller.
What is the name of the most dangerous mountain range in Brazil?
Serra do Rio do Rastro, located in Santa Catarina.
How steep is the Serra do Rio do Rastro?
The ascent of the mountain is 13.95km, a average slope of 7.5% and an elevation gain of 1079 meters. In international parameters, it is considered as Category 1.
Where to take pictures in Serra do Rio do Rastro?
You can stop at the mountain viewpoints. There are 3. Don't stop on the side of the road, be careful and wait to stop at the marked places!
Can you go up the Serra do Rio do Rastro by bike?
Yes, you can go up there by bike, but you need to be in good physical condition!
What is the most beautiful mountain range in Santa Catarina?
Serra do Rio do Rastro.
Serra do Rio do Rastro
Finally, I hope you enjoyed the tips and take the opportunity to discover this spectacular wonder of the world.
Enjoy and learn more: