Exploring Picos das Almas, Itobira and Barbado: A Trekking Lover’s Paradise in Chapada Diamantina

Pico das Almas, Pico do Itobira and Pico do Barbado form a special route for trekking lovers.

Pico das Almas marks the division between the municipalities of Livramento de Nossa Senhora and Rio de Contas.

Altitudes of the Main Peaks in the Northeast Region of Brazil

• Pico das Almas: 1,958 metres high, the 3rd highest point in the north-east of Brazil.
• Pico do Itobira: 1,970 metres high, ranking 2nd highest in the region.
• Pico do Barbado: 2,033 metres high, the highest point in the north-east of Brazil.

At the foot of the town of Rio de Contas, in the Chapada Diamantina, the mountain rises with an impressive wall over a thousand metres high, forming a grandiose complex of mountains, valleys, rupestrian fields, caves, canyons and waterfalls that rival any other Brazilian plateau.

With several natural attractions around Rio das Contas in the Chapada Diamantina, the municipality is home to the highest peaks in the Northeast: Pico do Barbado, Pico do Itobira and Pico das Almas.

Map of Chapada Diamantina

Map of the Chapada Diamantina Trails and Tourist Spots

The Fascinating Pico das Almas: A Natural Treasure of Rio de Contas

In addition to Pico do Barbado – the highest peak in the Northeast – Rio de Contas is home to two other giants: Pico do Itobira, at 1,970 metres, and Pico das Almas, at 1,958 metres.

These peaks can be reached on hikes that reveal breathtaking views of the entire Chapada Diamantina to the south.

The way to the top of Pico das Almas involves a three-hour hike among quartzite formations, orchids, bromeliads and the region’s unique vegetation.

The Traverse of the Three Highest Peaks in the Northeast

We’re going to explore a unique route that aims to climb the three highest peaks in the Northeast: Pico das Almas, Pico do Itobira and Pico do Barbado.

This special route covers approximately 43 kilometres and has a moderate to difficult degree of difficulty.

Along the way, the adventurers will face high altitudes, low temperatures and will have the opportunity to visit small villages and farming communities located in the less explored hills and valleys of the region.

Trekking to Pico das Almas, Pico Itobira and Pico do Barbado

Day 1 – Rio de Contas, Pico das Almas, Vale do Queiroz

Leave Rio de Contas in the morning, heading for Fazenda Silvana, where you will start the trail to Vale do Queiroz, the campsite.

From there, follow the trail for about 1 hour and 20 minutes until you reach Portal das Almas, a landscape unlike anything else in the Chapada Diamantina, with sharp rocks of various sizes scattered throughout.

On the final stretch, there is a hike up the steepest part of the massif that leads to the summit. It takes approximately 3 hours to reach the 1,958 metres high Pico das Almas, with a beautiful panoramic view of the Chapada Sul.

The return trip takes you down the same trail and back to the base camp in the Queiroz Valley.

Passing through the Queiróz Valley

An ecological sanctuary, a large plateau at around 1,600 metres above sea level, surrounded on all sides by mountains. It’s a place where you can take a refreshing dip (in summer) in the stream that runs through the valley. The place is also home to various types of micro-lily and evergreens.

Passage near the source of the Brumado River

The largest river in the city of Rio de Contas rises on the road to Pico das Almas, at an altitude of around 1,700 metres, and its waters begin to flow from the rocks.

Passing through remnants of Atlantic forest

The site has a small area of Atlantic forest with trees about 20 metres high.

Pass through the Portal of Souls

A rock formation in the shape of a portal, also known as the window of heaven.

360° panoramic view

From the top, visitors can see the neighbouring town of Livramento de Nossa Senhora, the Campos Gerais in the town of Rio de Contas, the Portuguese community of Mato Grosso, Pico do Itobira (1,700 m), part of Pico do Barbado (2,033 m) and a vast mountain range that is the continuation of the Serra do Espinhaço, which begins in the state of Minas Gerais.

Day 2 – Queiroz Valley, Coronel Bridge, Caiambola Farm, Itobira Peak

Return along the trail to the Silvana farm, where there will be a support car. Continue by car, stopping for a swim at the Coronel bridge. Continue towards Caiambola, where the trail begins.

Turning round in a large clump of forest at the foot of Pico do Itobira, the trail continues through general areas full of flowers and grasses. After about 1.5 hours, you reach the base of Pico do Itobira. The trail continues upwards, offering a beautiful view of the deserted fields of Chapada Sul.

Continue uphill for around 1 hour, until you reach the 1,980 metre altitude of the second highest mountain in the north-east of Brazil. There are two options on this route: sleep on the summit (if the weather forecast is favourable) or sleep at the base, near the water.

Day 3 – Pico do Itobira, Lapa da Mutuca, Vale do Guarda Mor

Descend from the summit and head towards Lapa da Mutuca. From there, one of the most difficult and contemplative sections of the trail begins, passing Lapa da Mutuca and continuing on to Guarda Mor, where you will spend the night.

Day 4 – Catolés, Pico do Barbado, Catolés, Piatã

In the morning, hike up the steep slopes of Serra do Barbado for about 2 hours to a place called Forquilha da Serra, a kind of step between Pedra do Elefante and Pico do Barbado.

From this point, continue for around 20 minutes to Pico do Barbado, the summit of the highest mountain in north-eastern Brazil at 2,033 metres.

From the summit, there is a 360º view of Picos do Itobira and Picos das Almas, as well as Serra da Tromba and Três Picos in Piatã. On the horizon, you can see the Sincorá mountain range, the Pai Inácio hill and the Morrão mountain range. After contemplating and taking photos at the summit, the trail descends for around 2 hours to the village of Catolés de Cima, where a car will take you to the town of Piatã.

The top of the Northeast at 2,033 metres is Pico do Barbado

Pico do Barbado, located in the Chapada Diamantina, is the highest peak in the north-east of Brazil and Bahia, with an altitude of 2,033 metres. It is situated on the border between the municipalities of Rio do Pires and Abaíra.

This geological formation is of rare beauty and is in an environmental protection area due to its exuberant botanical richness. It is an integral part of the Chapada Diamantina and is located in the village of Catolés de Cima, in the municipality of Abaíra.

To get to Pico do Barbado from Abaíra, you can go by car or motorbike to the district of Catolés and then continue on to the village of Catolés de Cima.

The road is dirt, with slopes paved with stones. From the top of the peak, you can see other peaks, such as Itobira and Pico das Almas, in the neighbouring municipality of Rio de Contas, as well as Serra da Tromba, in Abaíra and Piatã.

There is a trail to climb the peak from Catolés. You can drive up to the last house on the street, at the top, and from there climb to the top in about two and a half hours. From the top, you can see several peaks, such as Itaobira and Pico das Almas, as well as mountains, such as the beautiful Serra da Tromba. There is a topographical map of the Barbado region for sale in Lençóis and Mucugê.

Trekking to Pico das Almas, Pico do Barbado and Pico do Itobira

Chapada Diamantina Tourist Guide

This post is also on: Português English