To cool off in frozen water wells in the middle of the Atlantic Forest, 70 kilometers from Rio de Janeiro
The small town of Guapimirim between the Serra dos Órgãos and Guanabara Bay, in the mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro, is the right address for those seeking natural beauty and peace. About 70% of the municipality’s land is located in an environmental conservation area, with a large area of mangroves, making it an excellent destination for ecotourism.
The city is known for its beautiful waterfalls surrounded by rocks and Atlantic Forest species. The menu allows you to choose between peaceful baths in the wells, dives in crystal clear waters and adrenaline rushes with abseiling. To access the falls you need to walk along paths through the forest, but the paths are well marked.
Most of the waterfalls and natural pools are formed by the Soberbo River, which originates in Serra dos Órgãos National Park an ecological reserve with three locations, one of which is in Guapimirim . In addition to waterfalls, the park is also home to The finger of God peak imprinted on the flag of Rio de Janeiro .
“Attention”
The rainy months (between November and January) increase the risk of floods, when the level of the Soberbo river rises sharply and causes floods. The increase in current, the change in color of the water and the presence of more floating leaves and branches are signs of the phenomenon. Never enter the water when faced with scenarios like this.
We have selected the five most famous waterfalls of Guapimirim :
Concordia waterfall
The fall inside Concordia waterfall It is small, but bathing in its well of clear water loses nothing in terms of refreshment. The large trees provide a lot of shade, so it is not the ideal waterfall for those who want to sunbathe.
On the other hand, the height of the trees allows the brave to jump nine meters high towards the well, with a depth that allows the feat.
Part of the road to the Concordia waterfall It can be done by car, but you have to face an uphill path after parking. The journey takes 20 minutes to the end of the Estrada da Concórdia, where you will find the entrance leading to the waterfall. If you continue straight, you will be able to admire a panoramic view from the top of a rock.
Garrafao waterfall
Inside Serra dos Órgãos National Park THE Garrafao waterfall it has two strong 20 meter waterfalls separated by a wall. Due to its height it is a popular destination for abseiling enthusiasts.
Near the waterfall, sitting on a rock and enjoying nature is the best option, because the well is not deep enough for diving. But following the river you will find places to swim.
The path to the waterfall in the direction Teresopolis is: continue straight when you reach the Garrafão curve (near a petrol station) and after 500 meters go down to the right, where you can park your car in a bar. Then just follow the path on foot for 15 minutes. At the end of the trail there is a beautiful viewpoint among the trees.
Escorrega waterfall
A Escorrega waterfall it is officially called The priest is fine , but in its surroundings a smooth stone used as a sled stole its attention and name. The descent is fun, but you have to be careful when climbing the rock, which is slippery, and know how to swim, because you will be catapulted into a part of the well where you cannot walk.
Access to Escorrega waterfall it is made by Rogerio bar and restaurant – with a rustic atmosphere and self-service or à la carte food in Minas Gerais -, at km 100 of the Estrada da Barreira, towards Teresopolis. After parking your car in the restaurant’s free car park, continue for 300 meters along a road and enter the green gate on your left.
Poço Verde waterfall
TO Poço Verde waterfall , the intense tone of the waters enchants and explains the name of the place. In the hot season, bathing is even more successful because the water is cold.
The edges of the pit are shallow and even children can enjoy it, but the depth increases in the center. The entire space is surrounded by large rocks and from one of them you can enjoy a panoramic view of the scene; It is common for the more adventurous to jump from there into the waters.
The waterfall is also inside the Serra dos Órgãos National Park and the path to access it begins at the Visitor Center. From there it’s 20 minutes on a well-marked path until you reach the Green good . At the fork in the center of the path choose the left, the right leads to Well of laziness .
The trail is slightly difficult, but when you get close to the waterfall you need to go down a path made of stones of different sizes. At the end there is a lovely cave where numerous clicks are made. If you already want to be yelled at, move on. Otherwise follow the descent to the right. Behind the waterfall you can relax in another cave listening to the force of the waters.
Vale da Lua waterfall
Another waterfall that is self-explanatory when looking at the landscape: the lunar surface is the first image that comes to mind when looking at the sculpted rocks. There are several natural pools and waterfalls among the rocks.
From Vale da Lua site , the trail to the waterfall takes only five minutes, but you need to pay R$10 to access it. For this rate you can also go to Prainha do Superbo with sand and a large greenish pit, and al Pedroão Well where there is a small cave called Cave of Love along with calm waters.
The free path to Vale da Lua waterfall It is heavier and takes 1h30 in the forest from the Limoeiro neighborhood. You can also follow the stones of Escorrega waterfall but there are many bumpy and slippery sections.
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Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
