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Chapada Diamantina, in Bahia, has several attractions for sports and adventure lovers.
Among them, the main ones are certainly the famous waterfalls, some considered the highest and most beautiful in Brazil.
One of the best known natural parks in the country is the Chapada Diamantina, a destination for nature lovers and adventure tourism.
It is located in a region of mountains full of rivers, which culminate in beautiful waterfalls and numerous natural pools. It was created in 1985 and covers the municipalities of Andaraí, Ibicoara, Iramaia, Itaetê, Lençóis, Mucugê and Palmeiras.
The region has the highest altitudes in the Northeast, reaching 2,033 metres at Pico do Barbado. The vegetation mixes species of caatinga and mountain flora.
5 waterfalls you need to know
5 cachoeiras que você precisa conhecer na Chapada Diamantina
1. Buracão Waterfall – Ibicoara
Getting to know one of the main attractions of Chapada Diamantina requires courage.
It all starts with the beautiful road from Ibicoara (28 km of land), from where you can see huge mountains amidst the bucolic atmosphere of the farms.
The car is parked at the beginning of the trail (an hour’s walk), which follows the riverbed to the place where you can see the waterfall from above.
There begins the descent that passes by the Recanto Verde waterfall – a thin veil of water that falls between the forest – and leads to the canyon where the Buracão is located.
To see the falls from the front there are two options: cross a footbridge and walk along narrow paths, always clinging to the wall; or swimming (the guides offer life jackets).
The scenery is impressive: a hole in the middle of the rock and the fall that forms a huge pool.
2. Ramalho Waterfall – Andaraí
Ramalho Waterfall is one of the most beautiful in the region and has two options for medium difficulty trails.
Among the most beautiful waterfalls in Chapada Diamantina is Cachoeira do Ramalho, located in the municipality of Andaraí.
In addition to the incredible scenery, it is formed by the Baiano River and has a jump of about 60 metres high.
According to Cifa’s brigadier, Homero Vieira, the waterfall has trails below and above, which are considered medium level.
Below, there is still the attraction of the gyrator, while at the top it is possible to find three more waterfalls, which are known as three falls of Ramalho, with about five to ten metres.
You can do it from below and go up to the other three waterfalls by a trail in the mountains where you will find stairs that facilitate the ascent or descent.
3. Waterfall of Bom Jardim – Andaraí
The access trail starts at the Europa settlement and is 4.5 kilometres long.
This trail is the one with the lowest degree of difficulty, most of the route is flat and within the forest area.
The waterfall is located on the border of the PNCD with the Municipal Natural Park Rotas de Cachoeira (PNMRC) and is in the municipality of Andaraí.
4. Andorinhas Waterfall – Mucugê
Located in Mucugê, the waterfall is about 7 kilometres from the centre and offers a natural whirlpool.
One of the most accessible trails for those who do not have a car and want to visit a waterfall from the city of Mucugê, as they only need to walk 2km of unpaved road and already arrive on the trail, inside the National Park.
It is a 2km trail that can be done in 1h30min, slowly. It climbs a little up the mountain until you have a view of the viewpoint of the Mucugê river valley, the one that gave the city its name.
From there, it continues over the mountain, in an area with predominant vegetation on top of the rocks (rupestrian field), permeated by centenary structures of old mining sites, such as a tank, water diversion and a den that can be visited for rest and shade. All of this can be interpreted by a trained guide.
Before arriving at the waterfall, there is a viewpoint of the Cumbucas River, the first to be found diamond in Chapada Diamantina, along with the Andorinhas waterfall. Then just go down, passing through a “condominium” of old prospectors’ burrows, cross the Cumbucas River and arrive at the waterfall.
The waterfall is a wall of water +/-6m high, where the visitor can take a shower, stand behind the waterfall and swim in its well. Next to it, there is a rocky slab good for resting, sunbathing and having a snack.
The return can be done by the same trail, or the visitor can choose to continue to the waterfall of Tiburtino, Piabinha Waterfall and Projeto Sempre-Viva, all in the Municipal Park of Mucugê, or go up the Cumbucas River passing seven waterfalls with wells at different points, until reaching the <nbsp;Cachoeira dos Funis</nbsp;and return by another trail.
5. Cachoeira das Moendas – Ituaçu
The Moendas Waterfall, one of the major attractions, is approximately eight kilometres from the centre of the city of Ituaçu. Ituaçu and has more than 70 metres of waterfall – leaving tourists awestruck. To get there you need to hire a guide.
See also The highest and most beautiful waterfalls in Chapada Diamantina
Tourist Guide to Chapada Diamantina and the Northeast
