Trekking – Most popular trails in Chapada Diamantina

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Many of the Brazilians and foreigners who visit the caves, waterfalls, rivers, valleys and mountains of the Chapada Diamantina come here to practise sports such as trekking, mountain biking, canoeing and abseiling.

Trekking no Vale do Pati
Trekking in the Pati Valley

The former quilombo sites attract tourists interested in typical dishes and popular festivals. Visual artists, esotericists and people seeking ‘immediate contact’ with extraterrestrials also visit the site. As the deposits were exhausted a long time ago, you won’t find any gold nuggets or diamonds…

The treasure waiting for you is the Chapada itself, and the best way to explore it is via its trails.

See the map of the Chapada Diamantina National Park

See the Chapada Diamantina map

Map of the Chapada Diamantina trails and tourist attractions

Guides in Chapada Diamantina

To walk the Chapada’s trails, look for qualified guides, preferably recommended by the lodges themselves or professional guide associations.

Many ‘curious’ people offer to do this kind of work even though they don’t have the necessary knowledge to lead groups along the trails. Avoid them. If in doubt, look for ACVL (in Lençóis) or ACVVC (in Vale do Capão).

Preparation

Good physical fitness is recommended. Groups are made up of a maximum of eight people per guide and equipment can be hired (some guides have equipment available) or already provided by the traveller.

The recommended equipment is a tent, sleeping bag with thermal insulation, torch, multi-purpose Swiss Army knife, nylon cord, canteen of at least 1 litre and a rubbish bag to help preserve the area.

Take a raincoat, insect repellent, suitable footwear, flip-flops, sunscreen, a hat or cap, suitable clothing (tactel trousers, light t-shirts). Wear thick socks to avoid blisters on your feet. There are rivers and waterfalls along the way: take a diving mask, towel and shorts or swimming costume.

If you like taking photographs, don’t forget a spare battery. Choose a waterproof, comfortable rucksack and don’t overload it.

Prices

The Association of Visitor Guides of Lençóis (ACVL) has tables of prices for the services offered by guides.

Prices vary according to the difficulty of the trails, the length of the tours, the need for transfers and the provision of meals and/or equipment. Accommodation in local people’s houses tends to be a little cheaper than the simpler inns.

Trekking - Travessia da Chapada Diamantina
Trekking – Crossing the Chapada Diamantina

Video about the most popular trails in Chapada Diamantina

Trekking – The most popular trails in Chapada Diamantina

  1. Pati Valley
  2. Fumaça Waterfall from below
  3. Sossego and Ribeirão do Meio waterfalls
  4. Vinte e Um Trekking (Vinte e Um Canyon)
  5. Trekking Pai Inácio/Águas Claras/Morrão/Capão
  6. Trekking Lençóis/Capão
  7. Trekking Pai Inácio/Lençóis

1. Pati Valley

The most viable option is to stay overnight in Caeté-Açu.

The journey to the village of Bomba, from where the treks start, is by car.

Overnight stays and meals can be taken in locals’ houses, where the food is usually good and the accommodation simple and clean, or in campsites, in which case the group will have to carry all the equipment and supplies.

The Gerais do Vieira, Serra do Esbarrancado, Morro do Castelo and Cachoeirão are the main attractions on this route. 70 km (to Andaraí), 5 days.

Os Gerais do Vieira são uma área de campos altos e abertos localizada na Chapada Diamantina, no estado da Bahia. Fazem parte do percurso de trekking mais famoso da região, o Vale do Pati, e são conhecidos por suas paisagens deslumbrantes, que incluem extensos planaltos, vegetação típica de cerrado e caatinga, além de formações rochosas imponentes.
Morro do Castelo na Chapada Diamantina
Morro do Castelo na Chapada Diamantina
Cachoeirão is one of the Chapada Diamantina‘s most iconic and impressive attractions, located within the Pati Valley in the Chapada Diamantina National Park in Bahia. It is famous for its breathtaking views, especially during the rainy season, when several waterfalls rush down the rocky walls in synchronised fashion, creating a breathtaking natural spectacle.
Characteristics of the Cachoeirão
  • The Cachoeirão is made up of several waterfalls that spread out along a large rock wall. During periods of intense rainfall, there can be up to 20 falls visible simultaneously.
  • In the dry season, some of the falls may disappear, but the site still impresses with the sheer size of the wall and the view of the canyon.[/box]

2. Fumaça Waterfall from below

Leaving Lençóis on foot, the trail passes through valleys, waterfalls and canyons, including Vale da Capivara and Vale da Cachoeira da Fumaça.

Overnight stays are in tented campsites. This trail requires a lot of physical fitness, as the route is difficult; much of it is along the stony riverbed: 36 kilometres, 3 days.

Cachoeira da Fumaça na Chapada Diamantina
Fumaça Waterfall in Chapada Diamantina

 

How to get to Cachoeira da Fumaça in Vale do Capão

3. Sossego and Ribeirão do Meio waterfalls

The walk is very beautiful, part of it through the forest, where you’ll find, if you’re in the right season, mango trees laden with tasty ripe fruit; another part of the route is along the stony, shallow bed (in the dry season…) of the Ribeirão river.

There are fun slides at Ribeirão do Meio, a good place to stop. The round trip is 15 kilometres and takes 6 hours from Lençóis.

Ribeirão do Meio na Chapada Diamantina
Ribeirão do Meio in Chapada Diamantina
Cachoeira do Sossego na Chapada Diamantina
Cachoeira do Sossego in Chapada Diamantina

4. Vinte e Um Trekking (Vinte e Um Canyon)

The Vinte e Um Canyon, located in Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, is one of the most impressive and remote jewels of this region of exuberant nature. It is known for its grandiose rock formations, deep gorges and beautiful waterfalls. The area is a true paradise for adventurers and ecotourism lovers.

A good part of this trek is through the interior of the Cânion do Vinte e Um, with a night’s camping in tents.

2 days from Lençóis to Caeté-Açu, in the Capão Valley.

Main Features

Location and Access

  • The canyon is located within the Chapada Diamantina National Park, close to the Pati Valley.
  • Access is challenging, usually via trails that require physical fitness and the accompaniment of experienced guides. The journey can take days and involves camping.

Landscape

  • The canyon is marked by imposing rock walls that reach hundreds of metres in height.
  • The area has crystal-clear rivers that carve out natural pools, as well as waterfalls such as the Cachoeira do Vinte e Um, which gives the place its name.

Adventure and isolation

  • Due to its remote location, it is ideal for those seeking an immersive experience in nature.
  • The trail to the canyon is considered one of the most challenging in the Chapada, rewarding you with breathtaking views and a unique connection with nature.

Ecosystem

  • The biodiversity includes plants typical of the cerrado and caatinga, as well as species endemic to the Chapada.
  • The region is also home to animals such as deer, birds of prey and various reptiles.

5. Trekking Pai Inácio/Águas Claras/Morrão/Capão

Easy, with beautiful views. By car to the base of Morro do Pai Inácio. Then 20 km, 1 day.

6. Trekking Lençóis/Capão

This is the old trail used by traders to travel between the two towns. The direction Capão/Lençóis is easier as it is downhill: 25 km and 7h (one way).

7. Pai Inácio/Lençóis Trekking

It doesn’t require much physical fitness. It passes by waterfalls and has one of the best views of Pai Inácio Hill: 18 km.

Buracão Waterfall Drive from Lençóis to Poço Encantado, in Itaetê, with a stop at Poço Azul, in Nova Redenção. Overnight in Mucugê.

The next day, the group heads to Cachoeira do Buracão, in Ibicoara; part of the journey is by car, but be aware that you will have to face a 0h50 trek to the waterfall, located inside a canyon. The waterfall is 80 metres long. 2 days.

Bahia.ws is the largest tourist guide to Bahia and Salvador.

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