How to get to Fumaça Waterfall in Chapada Diamantina

The Cachoeira da Fumaça, considered the highest waterfall in Brazil, has a drop of almost 400 metres and is located between the municipalities of Lençóis and Palmeiras, in the Chapada Diamantina.

Nature, in almost all its forms, is present in the Chapada Diamantina. Much of its beauty is preserved in the National Park, which covers an immense area of canyons, waterfalls and plateaus.

The region’s postcards are also gigantic: the Morro do Pai Inácio, at an altitude of over a thousand metres; and the Fumaça waterfall, the highest in Brazil, with a drop of almost 400 metres.

Courage, an adventurous spirit and plenty of breath are essential characteristics for those who want to explore this ecological paradise in Bahia.

Waterfalls, caves and hills offer tourists a wide range of adventure sports.

You have to be willing, because nature’s spectacle lasts all day: it starts with the sunrise and only ends with the starry night.

Only by hiking can you reach the most beautiful scenery in the Chapada Diamantina, which makes the region a trekker’s paradise.

Those who are up to date on their physical fitness can take on the beautiful five-day Pati trail.

But there are less strenuous options that also offer beautiful scenery.

Trilhas Vale do Capão e região — Trails in Vale do Capão and the region

Videos about the Fumaça Waterfall

COMO É A TRILHA DA CACHOEIRA DA FUMAÇA05:16

Trekking até a Cachoeira da Fumaça

Como chegar até a Cachoeira da Fumaça

How to get to Cachoeira da Fumaça

Cachoeira da Fumaça is located between two towns.

Cachoeira da Fumaça is closest to Palmeiras, just 23 kilometres away, while Lençóis is 80 kilometres away. On both routes, the roads offer good travelling conditions.

You can take an excursion to the Cachoeira da Fumaça and discover it safely and freely, or you can choose the route that suits you best.

From Vale do Capão to Cachoeira da Fumaça is only 3 kilometres, which is the best option. This is because the journey will be less strenuous.

I say this because, to get to the top of the waterfall, you’ll end up facing a 6-kilometre trail, both to get there and back. And as you might expect, there will be a lot of climbing on this route.

It is not compulsory to have a guide on the trail. However, if you prefer to book a tour through an agency, the cost may vary. This depends on the route and what you want to include in the tour.

There is also the option of hiring a private guide, which can be split between up to 4 people.

Distances by car from: Vale do Capão 3 km, Palmeiras 21 km; Lençóis 80 km; Andaraí 152 km; Mucugê 200 km

Starting point for the Fumaça Waterfall Trail

You can visit the Cachoeira da Fumaça from below, on a 3-day trek from the town of Lençóis.

The upper part, which allows you to see the waterfall from all that height, is accessed from Vale do Capão, via a trail of approximately 6 kilometres (an average of 2 hours to get there).