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The small town of Vale do Capão, also known as Vila de Caeté-Açu, has around 3,000 inhabitants and belongs to the municipality of Palmeiras. Located 460 km from Salvador and 70 km from Lençóis, Capão is privileged by a territory full of trails that lead to hills, rivers, waterfalls, caves and beautiful waterfalls.
The Capão Valley offers uncrowded leisure options and preserves its mystical atmosphere, ideal for meditation and spiritual retreats. With its breathtaking landscapes, the Chapada Diamantina is a true natural sanctuary, and Vale do Capão, in the municipality of Palmeiras, is home to some of the region’s most enchanting beauty.
The trails include waterfalls and other natural wonders, such as the trail to the famous Cachoeira da Fumaça, the highest waterfall in Brazil, surrounded by Atlantic Forest, mountains of up to 1,500 metres and rich fauna and flora.
Capão stands out as an ecological paradise in the heart of the Chapada Diamantina. There, you can walk through the mysterious Silêncio dos Gerais, admire the current of the Rio Preto, the imposing Morrão and the incredible abyss of Fumaça.
With a tropical climate and an average annual temperature between 22° and 24°C, Caeté-Açu, where the Valley is located, favours all types of excursions. Visited by both adventurers and those in search of tranquillity, Vale do Capão is the stage for events such as the Jazz Festival and traditional celebrations of São João, Carnival and New Year.
Attractions such as ecotourism are guaranteed by the landscapes that accompany the trails, long or short, and which connect tourist attractions and local communities, such as Conceição dos Gatos, Riachinho, Rodas, Angélica and Batista. In addition, Vale do Capão offers one of the entrances to the famous Pati Valley, where one of the most beautiful trails in the world is located!
Waterfalls of Vale do Capão or Caeté-Açu
- Águas Claras Waterfall
- Riachinho Waterfall
- Rodas Waterfall
- Rio Preto Waterfall
- Fumaça Waterfall
1. Águas Claras Waterfall
Considered by many to be one of the most beautiful trails in the Capão Valley, the Rio Preto Waterfall is a small oasis protected by the Morrão, one of the most photogenic mountains in the Chapada Diamantina.
Although small, the waterfall forms an irresistible well that looks more like a natural swimming pool.
2. Riachinho Waterfall
Located on the road linking the village of Capão to the town of Palmeiras, there is a beautiful 12 metre high waterfall and a well with an easily accessible paved path. The attraction is part of the Riachinho Municipal Natural Park conservation unit.
3. Rodas Waterfall
With easy access, this waterfall is perfect for families with children. The waterfall runs from a huge wall of rocks forming several wells in front of an immense valley.
4. Rio Preto Waterfall
The Rio Preto waterfall is one of the closest to the village and can be accessed on the same trail that leads to the Rodas waterfall.
The 4 metre high waterfall falls into an immense pool with an infinite edge and views of the mountains. For those who like to explore these places, the tip is to continue up the waterfall and enjoy the many wells that form between the rocks of the Rio Preto.
5. Fumaça Waterfall
The Cachoeira da Fumaça, located in the Chapada Diamantina, is one of Brazil’s most iconic and impressive natural settings.
At around 340 metres high, this waterfall is the second highest in the country and enchants with its spectacular fall, where the water, when it meets the air before reaching the ground, disperses into mist, creating the visual effect that gives it its name.
This phenomenon is especially visible during periods of low water levels, and the spectacle is impressive due to the grandeur of the landscape.
The Fumaça Waterfall usually falls during the rainy season, which runs from November to March. During this period, the volume of water increases considerably, creating a continuous fall that reaches the ground. In the dry season, between June and September, the volume of water decreases and often the flow is so light that it dissipates in the form of mist before reaching the ground, hence the name ‘Fumaça’.
If the aim is to see the Fumaça Waterfall at its peak, with the water flowing all the way to the base, the ideal is to plan your visit during the rainy season. On the other hand, even in drier periods, the phenomenon of the mist creates a unique visual spectacle and is also very popular with tourists.
To get to Cachoeira da Fumaça, there are two trekking options: a moderate level one that takes around two and a half hours round trip from Vale do Capão, and a more challenging three-day trek from Vale do Pati.
The Vale do Capão trail, the most popular, passes through mountainous landscapes and offers unique vantage points of the valley and the waterfall canyon itself. At the end, the lookout point on the cliff offers a spectacular view of the waterfall and the Chapada Diamantina mountains in the background.
As well as being an ecotourism and adventure spot, Cachoeira da Fumaça is a symbol of environmental preservation in the region. Surrounded by the rich Atlantic Rainforest, with incredible biodiversity, the area is a sanctuary for plant and animal species typical of the Chapada.
Chapada Diamantina and Northeast Tourist Guide
