Trekking in the Pati Valley in Chapada Diamantina

Trekking in the Pati Valley is considered one of the most beautiful in the country.

The Pati Valley, located in the heart of the Chapada Diamantina in Bahia, is considered one of the best trekking destinations in Brazil.

The region offers a unique landscape of canyons, waterfalls, rivers, mountains and vegetation that mixes savannah, Atlantic forest and caatinga. Trekking in the Pati Valley is a challenging but rewarding experience in the midst of nature and local culture.

Trekking enthusiasts can choose from easy trails of a few hours to an unforgettable adventure of up to six days in the Pati Valley.

Trekking no Vale do Pati
Trekking in the Pati Valley

A fantastic place that combines rare examples of mountain vegetation with the exuberance of the caatinga.

Map of Chapada Diamantina trails and tourist sites

The journey through the Pati Valley requires a good level of physical fitness, but during the trek the difficulty of the steep hills and closed forests becomes an added motivation to challenge yourself and discover the dozens of waterfalls scattered throughout the valley.

See the map of Chapada Diamantina

Localização do Vale do Pati
Location of the Pati Valley

Videos about trekking in Vale do Pati and Vale do Capão

Trekking no Vali do Pati - Logística
play-rounded-fill

Trekking in the Pati Valley

The Pati Valley has three main access points: Guiné (district of the municipality of Mucugê), Vale do Capão (district of the municipality of Palmeiras) and Andaraí.

Vale do Pati na Chapada Diamantina
Pati Valley

It’s possible to enter or leave through either of these two valleys, but either way the route involves many kilometres of ups and downs.

The route goes from the village of Guiné to Andaraí, passing through Gerais do Vieira, Gerais do Rio Preto, Morro do Castelo, Cachoeirão and at the end we’ll visit the Fumacinha Waterfall.

The crossing of the Pati Valley can be done in different ways. There are those who spend only one night there, with one day to enter the valley and another to leave it, and who can visit attractions such as the Mirante do Pati.

Mapa do Vale do Capão, Pati e Guiné
Map of Vale do Capão, Pati and Guiné

Characteristics of the Pati Valley Trekking

Duration

  • In general, the walks take between 3 and 7 days, depending on the route chosen and the fitness of the participants.

Level of difficulty

  • Moderate to difficult. The route includes steep climbs, steep descents, river crossings and long walks.

Main attractions

  • Morro do Castelo: One of the most famous walks, with rock formations resembling a castle and spectacular views over the valley.
  • Cachoeirão por Cima: One of the most emblematic points, with several waterfalls plunging from great heights.
  • Funil Waterfall: Ideal for relaxing and swimming.
  • Viewpoints: Several points along the trails offer panoramic views of the Pati Valley.
Morro do Castelo no Vale do Pati
Castelo Hill in the Pati Valley
Cachoeirão no Vale do Pati
Waterfall in the Pati Valley
Cachoeira do Funil no Vale do Pati
Funil waterfall in the Pati Valley
Principais Trilhas no Vale do Pati
Main trails in the Pati Valley

Unforgettable trekking in the Pati Valley: Itineraries from 2 to 5 days

1. Trekking in the Pati Valley in 2 days

If you only have 2 days, the idea is to enter via Guiné and leave via Capão or vice versa.

First day: Waterfall

At the entrance to Guiné, walk to Cachoeirão. The first day will be dedicated to this trail, while the second day will be spent travelling through the general area to Capão. This route is ideal for those who don’t have much time but want to see the beauty of the Pati Valley, such as the Cachoeirão Valley.

Physical condition required

You need to be in good physical condition to do this walk as it is full of challenges, including steep paths, rocks and drivers.

Tips for the walk

We recommend taking basic snacks to replenish your energy, such as fruit, cereal bars and biscuits, as well as water.

Your accommodation

You’ll need to stay with locals, who are very welcoming and provide an incredible experience. Rooms are usually clean and tidy, and bathrooms are shared between tourists and hosts.

2. Trekking in the Pati Valley in 3 days

If you have 3 days, you can explore more incredible and magical places that will change the way you look at life.

Day one: Start in Guiné

Start the trail in Guiné, walking along the Gerais do Rio Preto. If you like, stop for a swim in the river. Then head to the Mirante do Vale, where you can feel the gentle breeze and watch the magical scenery.

Day two: Funis Waterfall

On the second day, visit the Funis Waterfall, Lajedo and Morro do Castelo, which offers a spectacular view from the top of the mountain through a beautiful cave.

Third day: Vale do Capão

On the third day, head for Vale do Capão via Gerais do Vieira. The route is breathtaking, with mountains forming a landscape that blends with the green and blue of the sky. The Pati Valley is considered one of the most beautiful valleys in the world, carved out of pink quartzite and covered in Atlantic rainforest.

3. Trekking in the Pati Valley in 4 days

For those who have 4 days, the logistical itinerary of the Pati Valley offers good attractions.

Day One: Leaving Vale do Capão

Leave Vale do Capão, passing through Bomba and up the slope of “Quebra Bunda” to the Generals of Rio Preto, continuing to the houses of the locals in Pati de cima.

Day two: Cachoeirão from above

On the second day, visit Cachoeirão from above, where you can see a series of waterfalls that form a breathtaking sight.

Days three and four: Down the valley

On days three and four, walk down the valley to the houses of the inhabitants of Pati de Baixo. Then climb the slope of Império to complete your route to Andaraí.

4. Trekking in the Pati Valley in 5 days

For a complete and incredible experience, we recommend 5 days in the Pati Valley.

Day one: Adventure in the Capão Valley

Start your adventure by driving up the Capão Valley to the Gerais do Rio Preto, from where you can see Morro do Castelo. Take the opportunity to swim in the river and enjoy some time with friends and family.

Day two: Morro do Cruzeiro

On the second day, climb the Morro do Cruzeiro, passing the Córrego das Laranjeiras and the Serra da Sampa, until you reach the imposing Cachoeirão Waterfall, with a free fall of around 300 metres.

Day three: Morro do Castelo

On the third day, climb Morro do Castelo. Beware of the altitude! The trail goes from Igrejinha to the top, where you can cross the cave and look out over the Pati Valley.

Day four: Waterfalls and knowledge

On the fourth day, enjoy the Lageado and Funis waterfalls in the morning, then head to the houses of the inhabitants of Pati de Baixo. Visit the City Hall, a historic site that still attracts tourists.

Final day: Ladeira do Império

On your last day, visit the Ladeira do Império, which is paved and about 16 kilometres long. The walk starts out easy but soon becomes challenging. At the top, you’ll come across a large waterfall and the Serra do Ramalho mountain range, before continuing on to Andaraí, where you say goodbye to the valley.

History of the Pati Valley

Hidden away, with limited access (there is no road for cars), the Pati Valley saw its first inhabitants at the beginning of the 20th century.

A severe drought in the region led the locals to seek survival in the fertile and humid valley.

With the strengthening of the coffee culture, Vale do Pati and Vale do Capão became the largest coffee producers in the region. It was during this period that the valley reached its peak, with more than two thousand inhabitants, a community centre, shops and a church.

Coffee was also the reason for its decline, when the republican policy of the time decided to nationalise and eradicate coffee growing in order to increase prices on the world market.

prices on the world market. This policy led to the exodus of most of the population, allowing the valley to recover its forests, which had been cleared to make way for coffee plantations.

Vale do Capão - Chapada Diamantina
The Capão Valley

Today, the Pati Valley is protected by its 50 inhabitants and the Chapada Diamantina National Park.

In order to preserve the ecological balance of the Pati Valley and its resilient inhabitants, we at Terra Chapada Diamantina provide transport, accommodation and food services, while avoiding other more destructive activities such as cattle ranching, agriculture, hunting and the extraction of palm hearts and wood.

Bahia.ws is the largest tourist guide in Bahia and Salvador.

Trekking in the heart of Bahia in the Chapada Diamantina

Willy Sievert

Written by Willy Sievert

Editor of Bahia.ws since its founding in 2009. Based in Salvador, he travels frequently across the Northeast and all of Brazil to keep the guides up to date. Learn more about Willy Sievert →

Published on 26/11/2012 · Updated on 04/05/2026

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