Many of the Brazilians and foreigners who visit the caves, waterfalls, rivers, valleys and mountains of Chapada Diamantina do so to practise sports such as trekking, mountain biking, canoeing and abseiling.

The former quilombo settlements attract tourists interested in typical dishes and popular festivals. Visual artists, esotericists and people seeking “direct contact” with extraterrestrials also visit the site. You won’t find any nuggets of gold or diamonds, as the deposits were exhausted long ago…

The treasure that awaits you is the Chapada itself, and the best way to discover it is along its trails.

See the map of Chapada Diamantina National Park

See the map of Chapada Diamantina

Map of trails and sights in Chapada Diamantina

Guides in the Chapada Diamantina

To hike the trails of the Chapada, look for qualified guides, preferably recommended by the lodges themselves or by professional guide associations.

Many “curious” people offer to do this kind of work, although they don’t have the necessary knowledge to lead groups along the trails. Avoid them. When in doubt, look for ACVL (in Lençóis) or ACVVC (in Vale do Capão).

Guide prices

The Association of Visitor Guides of Lençóis (ACVL) has price lists for the services offered by the guides.

Prices vary according to the difficulty of the trails, the length of the tours, the need for transfers and the provision of meals and/or equipment. Accommodation in local people’s houses is usually a little cheaper than in more basic hostels.

Video of the most popular trails in Chapada Diamantina

Trekking – The most popular routes in Chapada Diamantina

1. Pati Valley
2. Fumaça Waterfall from below
3. Sossego and Ribeirão do Meio Waterfalls
4. Vinte e Um Trekking (Vinte e Um Canyon)
5. Trekking Pai Inácio/Águas Claras/Morrão/Capão
6. Trekking Lençóis/Capão
7. Trekking Pai Inácio/Lençóis

1. The Pati Valley.

The best option is to stay overnight in Caeté-Açu. The journey to the village of Bomba, from where the trekking tours depart, is by car.

Accommodation and meals

Overnight stays and Meals can be taken in local houses, where the food is usually good and the accommodation simple and clean.

Another option is to camp, in which case the group must carry all its equipment and supplies.

Main attractions

The Gerais do Vieira, the Serra do Esbarrancado, the Morro do Castelo and the Cachoeirão are the main attractions on this route, which covers 70 kilometres (to Andaraí) in 5 days.

Gerais do Vieira

Gerais do Vieira is an area of high, open, fields located in the Chapada Diamantina in the state of Bahia.

They form part of the region’s most famous trekking route, the Pati Valley, and are renowned for their stunning landscapes, which include vast plateaus, typical cerrado and caatinga vegetation and imposing rock formations.

Cachoeirão

The Cachoeirão is one of the most iconic and impressive attractions of the Chapada Diamantina, located in the Pati Valley of the Chapada Diamantina National Park in Bahia.

It is famous for its breathtaking vistas, especially during the rainy season when several waterfalls rush down the rocky walls in synchrony, creating a breathtaking natural spectacle.

Features of the Cachoeirão

The Cachoeirão is a series of waterfalls that cascade down a large rock wall. During periods of heavy rainfall, up to 20 waterfalls can be seen simultaneously.

In the dry season some falls may disappear, but the site is still impressive for the sheer size of the wall and the view over the canyon.

2. Fumaça Waterfall from below

Leaving Lençóis on foot, the trail passes through valleys, waterfalls and ravines, including Vale da Capivara and Vale da Cachoeira da Fumaça.

Overnight stays are in campsites. This trail requires a good level of fitness, as the route is difficult and much of it follows the stony riverbed: 36 kilometres, 3 days.

How to get to Cachoeira da Fumaça in Vale do Capão

3. Cachoeira do Sossego and Ribeirão do Meio

The walk is very beautiful, part of it through the forest, where, if you are in the right season, you will find mango trees laden with tasty ripe fruit; another part of the route follows the stony and shallow (in the dry season…) bed of the Ribeirão River.

There are fun slides at Ribeirão do Meio, a good place to stop. It’s a 15km round trip and takes 6 hours from Lençóis.

4. Vinte e Um Trekking (Vinte e Um Canyon)

The Vinte e Um Canyon, located in Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, is one of the most impressive and remote jewels of this region of exuberant nature.

It is known for its magnificent rock formations, deep canyons and beautiful waterfalls. The area is a true paradise for adventurers and lovers of ecotourism.

A large part of this trek goes through the interior of the Cânion do Vinte e Um, with one night camping in tents.

2 days from Lençóis to Caeté-Açu, in the Capão Valley.

Main features

Location and access

• The gorge is located in the Chapada Diamantina National Park, near the Pati Valley.
• Access is challenging, usually via trails that require physical fitness and the company of experienced guides. The trip can take days and involves camping.

The landscape

• The canyon is marked by imposing rock walls that reach hundreds of metres in height.
• The area has crystal clear rivers that form natural pools and waterfalls such as the Cachoeira do Vinte e Um, which gives the place its name.

Adventure and isolation

• Its remote location makes it ideal for those seeking an immersive nature experience.
• The trail to the canyon is considered one of the most challenging in the Chapada, rewarding you with breathtaking views and a unique connection with nature.

Ecosystem

• The biodiversity includes plants typical of the Cerrado and the Caatinga, as well as species endemic to the Chapada.
• The region is also home to animals such as deer, birds of prey and various reptiles.

5. Trekking Pai Inácio / Águas Claras / Morrão / Capão

Easy, with beautiful views. Drive to the foot of Morro do Pai Inácio. Then 20 km, 1 day.

6. Trekking Lençóis / Capão

This is the old trail used by traders to travel between the two towns. The direction Capão/Lençóis is easier as it is downhill: 25 kilometres and 7 hours (one way).

7. Trekking Pai Inácio / Lençóis

It doesn’t require much physical fitness. It passes by waterfalls and has one of the best views of Morro do Pai Inácio: 18 kilometres.

Buracão Waterfall Drive from Lençóis to Poço Encantado, in Itaetê, with a stop at Poço Azul, in Nova Redenção. Overnight stay in Mucugê.

The next day, the group goes to Cachoeira do Buracão, in Ibicoara; part of the journey is by car, but be aware that you’ll have to walk 0.50 m to the waterfall, which is located in a canyon. The waterfall is 80 metres long. 2 days.

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