Trail to Buracão Waterfall in Chapada Diamantina

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The trail to the Buracão Waterfall is one of the most fascinating in the region and offers an unforgettable experience. Located in the municipality of Ibicoara, the trail combines adventure and natural beauty, passing through impressive canyons, rivers and exuberant vegetation.

The Buracão Waterfall in the Chapada Diamantina has opened up tourism to the municipality of Ibicoara.

Cachoeira do Buracão na Chapada Diamantina

Trail to Buracão Waterfall

The trail to reach the waterfall is easy, taking about an hour and with practically no climbing.

It starts at the entrance to the Espalhado Municipal Park, following the bed of the Espalhado River, which flows into the Buracão waterfall.

The Espalhado Municipal Natural Park is a conservation area located in the municipality of Ibicoara, in the Chapada Diamantina, Bahia. The park is known for its rich biodiversity, stunning landscapes and for being home to the famous Buracão Waterfall, one of the region’s main tourist attractions.

It all starts with the beautiful road from Ibicoara (28 kilometres of dirt), from where you can see huge mountains amidst the bucolic atmosphere of the farms.

The car is parked at the start of the trail (an hour’s walk), which follows a riverbed until you see the waterfall from above.

There begins the descent that passes the Recanto Verde water fall – a thin veil of water that falls through the forest – and leads to the canyon where the Buracão is located.

Cachoeira Recanto Verde na Chapada Diamantina — Cachoeira Recanto Verde na trilha do Buracão

To see the falls from the front of the Buracão Waterfall there are two options: cross a footbridge and walk along narrow paths, always clinging to the wall; or swim (the guides offer life jackets).

The scenery is impressive: a hole in the middle of the rock and a drop that forms a huge pool.

Information about the trail

Distance: Approximately 3 km (round trip), moderate level.
Access: Starts at the Espalhado Municipal Natural Park, after a short drive from Ibicoara.
Highlights: The route includes stretches inside the river (with the need to cross small currents), walks along the banks and, finally, the spectacle of the 85-metre waterfall, which plummets into an imposing canyon.
Accompaniment: We recommend hiring a local guide for safety and to make the most of the historical and natural sights along the way.

At the end of the trail, you can swim in the well of the waterfall, which is one of the most memorable experiences on the Chapada Diamantina route.