Now comes the most awaited moment in Adventure Bloggers – the trail inside the Itaimbezinho Canyon, in Aparados da Serra National Park. The adventure had been on my wishing list for ages, and in December I finally entered the huge crack and saw the slopes upwards.

Rio do Boi trail

 

[highlight]Read in Portuguese[/highlight]

Beginning the trail
Beginning the trail

 

Braço Forte Waterfall
Braço Forte Waterfall

We started in closed forest walking on grit, until we reached the riverbed. A clearing opens up and we see the beginning of the canyon from Mamica Hill. The river has a strong smell (unusual, not unpleasant) and changes course after each torrent, but the old dry path covered with stones was still visible; and from there we moved on towards the wrinkled slopes of Itaimbezinho.

Stretching before and after the trail
Stretching before and after the trail

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We spent most of the time with our legs underwater during this trail, either trekking along the river or crossing it. The flow was strong in some parts, even with the small amount of water, so we crossed it holding hands to keep the balance. Each step was different and the guides indicated the best way. As it happened inside Malacara, here too the stones get bigger, but a lot bigger and surrounded by more water. They fall from the huge slopes and roll down the river, getting smaller until they become the grit from the beginning of the trail.

Next to the huge slopes
Next to the huge slopes

Como aconteceu no interior do Malacara, aqui as pedras também vão aumentando de tamanho, com a diferença de serem maiores e terem mais volume de água ao redor. Elas caem dos paredões gigantes e vão rolando pelo rio perdendo tamanho até virarem o farelo do início da trilha.

Crossing the river
Crossing the river
Spider carrying spiderlings on its body
Spider carrying spiderlings on its body

December is breeding season for spiders; they were everywhere and had several sizes. I did not see bird-eating spiders, but some of my fellows did. In areas with heavy flow, the near stones are a great support, but you should check if the eight-legged insects are not there.

But it is not all about challenge; we are surrounded by much beauty and innocence. Nature constantly exhibits itself in waterfalls, stones, plants, colorful insects and narrow paths. One of the highlights is the natural toboggan slide right in the beginning. The guide had to tell us to stop, or else we would not reach our goal.

Jodrian in the natural toboggan
Jodrian in the natural toboggan

The end of the trail is when we see the big crack and the slopes full of araucaria forests on the summit. You may go on for another forty-five minutes until the gateway (huge rocks that close the path) – that depends on the time, climate and physical preparation of each person. From this moment on it is considered a high-difficulty trail.

Strong sun on the way back
Strong sun on the way back
Pause for a snack
Pause for a snack

It was twelve kilometres in eight hours, stopping for a swim, snack and pictures. RIO DO BOI TRAIL is not very difficult, but it demands attention and the experience of a local guide, not forgetting the ability of walking on stones. There are several stories of people who decided to venture on their own and could not get out easily; they needed to be rescued or helped by local residents. There is the climate factor: if it rains in Cambará do Sul, for instance, people who starts the trail in sunny weather will only realize it when they feel the water level rising and, if there is heavy rain, the torrent comes and washes everything away. The accredited guides check the weather forecast before entering the canyon and have radio sets to be notified or ask for help if needed. When the water level rises, they know the alternative routes through the woods.

Mission accomplished
Mission accomplished

Take Note

Wearing shin pads (provided by the guide) is required to avoid wounds and snakebites. We did not spot any, but they might appear. Getting soaked is a sure thing, but the cameras do not need to be wet; pack your documents and a dry piece of clothing in the bag. Aparados Da Serra National Park embodies Praia Grande (Santa Catarina) and Cambará do Sul (Rio Grande do Sul). For this trail you have to be in Praia Grande and hire an accredited tour guide. The entrance is at Ibama Station, where they inspect the equipments and the tour guide. Rota Dos Canyons organizes this adventure; they take care of transport, accommodation and provide a tour guide. Read Leandro’s version, he has done this trail a few times.

TAKE NOTE
Wearing shin pads (provided by the guide) is required to avoid wounds and snakebites. We did not spot any, but they might appear. Getting soaked is a sure thing, but the cameras do not need to be wet; pack your documents and a dry piece of clothing in the bag.  

APARADOS DA SERRA NATIONAL PARK embodies Praia Grande (Santa Catarina) and Cambará do Sul (Rio Grande do Sul). For this trail you have to be in Praia Grande and hire an accredited tour guide. The entrance is at Ibama Station, where they inspect the equipments and the tour guide.  

ROTA DOS CANYONS organizes this adventure; they take care of transport, accommodation and provide a tour guide.   Read Leandro’s version, he has done this trail a few times.

More photos from this trail:

This travel was sponsored. Photos by Leandro Gabrieli and Roberta Martins.

© All rights reserved. Pictures and report 100% originals.

Translated by Lúcia Maciel
English teacher

Author ro martins

Advertiser, tourism content generator, Territorios’s creator, photographer and travel guide. From the last 12 years, reports her travel experiences focusing on culture and ecotourism on her award-winning blog (Best Content Travel Blog at FITUR Madrid 2017).

Write A Comment

Pin It