The Serra da Bocaina National Park is one of the natural treasures of the state of São Paulo, with over 1000 square kilometers of untouched nature. Famous for its diversity of fauna and flora, it is home to one of the best preserved fragments of the Atlantic Rainforest in the whole of Brazil and is a must-see destination for ecotourism lovers.
Located on the border between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the park is home to waterfalls, viewpoints and historic trails dating back to the Gold Rush. Thus, the visit guarantees not only a breathtaking natural experience, but also a trip back to ancient times in Brazilian history!
Discover the treasures of Serra da Bocaina
The Serra da Bocaina National Park is part of the Serra do Mar mountain range and is based in São João do Barreiro in the east of the state of São Paulo. It extends as far as Angra dos Reis, to the south of Rio de Janeiro, acting as a natural bridge between the two states.
For those who enjoy adventure, the park is a true paradise! As well as hiking through native forest, you can bathe in waterfalls and clear natural pools and observe a variety of birds, such as toucans, woodpeckers, sabiás and hawks . Another highlight is Pico do Tira Chapéu, the highest point in the park, which offers panoramic views of the Paraíba Valley and even the ocean.
Walk along historic trails!
The Serra da Bocaina National Park has 33 trails, from the simplest to those that require experience. But the most emblematic of them is certainly the Gold Trail, also known as Caminho de Mambucaba, a historic route that is over 200 years old! As the name suggests, it was created during the Gold Cycle and served as a passageway for transporting the precious metal from Minas Gerais to Paraty.
The trail still preserves, in many stretches, the “pé de moleque” sidewalk built by enslaved people in the 18th century. It’s 48 kilometers between São João do Barreiro and Mambucaba, on the coast of Rio de Janeiro, and takes an average of three days. The difficulty is high, so you need to be prepared!
But even if trekking isn’t your thing, we guarantee: the Serra da Bocaina is certainly worth a visit. How about July vacation to take this trip?
