Cachoeira Roda D'água - "Caminho do Itupava"
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Caminho do Itupava

4.9
·810 reviews·, Brazil

Paraná's oldest trail, a 20km historic trek through the Atlantic Forest with ancient stone paving and hidden ruins.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Early Sunday mornings

Beat the crowds and enjoy peace

CrowdLow
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Cachoeira Roda D'água - "Caminho do Itupava"

Caminho do Itupava

Best Time

Early Sunday mornings

Beat the crowds and enjoy peace

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Paraná's oldest trail, a 20km historic trek through the Atlantic Forest with ancient stone paving and hidden ruins.

4.9
(810 reviews)

"A challenging yet rewarding journey through history and nature, with breathtaking scenery."

Vertical photo
TIP

🥾 Wear Sturdy Hiking Boots

Essential for navigating slippery rocks, especially after rain. Protect your head too!

💧 Bring Water & Snacks

There are no restrooms along the 20km trail. Stay hydrated and fueled.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.9 · 810 reviews

Type

Hiking Area

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Historic Stone Paving

Historic Stone Paving

Throughout the trail

Walk on ancient stone paths, imagining the journeys of those who paved them centuries ago.

Atlantic Forest Immersion

Atlantic Forest Immersion

Throughout the trail

Experience the lush, peaceful beauty of the Atlantic Forest, with chances to spot Black Capuchin monkeys.

Hidden Ruins and Waterfalls

Hidden Ruins and Waterfalls

Near train tracks

Discover intriguing ruins, a refreshing swimming hole, and cascading waterfalls just off the main path.

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Planning Your Visit

Prepare for a Historic Trek

The Caminho do Itupava is a challenging 20km historic trail, the oldest in Paraná. It's known for its slippery conditions, especially after rain, making sturdy hiking boots and caution essential. Registration is required at both ends of the trail.

Best Time to Avoid Crowds

To fully appreciate the tranquility of the Atlantic Forest and avoid crowds, start your trek early on a Sunday morning, ideally around 7 AM. This allows for a more peaceful experience before the trail becomes busy.

Best Times

When
Early Sunday mornings
Why
Beat the crowds and enjoy peace
Crowd
Low
When
Dry season
Why
Safer, less slippery conditions
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

O passeio de trem entre Curitiba e Morretes, no Paraná, foi eleito como um dos 14 melhores trajetos ferroviários do mundo pela Lonely Planet. A viagem atravessa a Serra do Mar e encanta pela beleza natural do percurso com paisagem surreais! ⛰️✨🚞 #passeiodetremmorretes #passeiodetremcuritibaamorretes #passeiodetrempordosol #curitiba
@carlosroseo
17.6K likes • 325.3K views

🥾 Wear Sturdy Hiking Boots

Essential for navigating slippery rocks, especially after rain. Protect your head too! Reddit

💧 Bring Water & Snacks

There are no restrooms along the 20km trail. Stay hydrated and fueled. Reddit

Caminho do Itupava - A trilha mais antiga do Paraná Música: Atlantis - Seafret #trekking #trilha #aventura #parana #paraná #caminhodoitupava #morretes #trem
diegooberta
0 likes • 2.8K views
Alpha-Ômega +Caminho do Itupava "Percurso " Travessia Alpha Ômega realizada em 7h 20min, nosso novo recorde pessoal né @rogerio.silvestrin 👽 Alpha-Ômega e Caminho do Itupava em 10h 22 min Ganho de altimetria 3.360m Distância total 35km Bora Viver 👽💀💥⛰️🏃‍♂️🐺🙌🙃
bandpenta
407 likes • 7.5K views

🔦 Pack a Flashlight

Useful for exploring ruins and for safety, especially if you encounter any unexpected delays. Reddit

🌧️ Avoid Wet Conditions

Slippery rocks become extremely hazardous. Consider a helmet if conditions are wet. Reddit

Quer conhecer o Caminho do ITUPAVA?? 🥾👇🏽 O grupo @trilheirosdopr vai fechar com você !! Sinceramente eu achei BARATO o valor que eles cobraram pela experiência que vão proporcionar 👀 No dia 26/04 vai rolar a caminhada por uma das trilhas mais antigas do estado do Paraná No passeio está incluído : ✅Transporte de Curitiba (ida e volta) ✅Guias / condutores ✅Trilha Completa do Caminhodo Itupav...
fgatleta
4.3K likes • 80.6K views

Tips

from all over the internet

🥾 Wear Sturdy Hiking Boots

Essential for navigating slippery rocks, especially after rain. Protect your head too! Reddit

💧 Bring Water & Snacks

There are no restrooms along the 20km trail. Stay hydrated and fueled. Reddit

🔦 Pack a Flashlight

Useful for exploring ruins and for safety, especially if you encounter any unexpected delays. Reddit

🌧️ Avoid Wet Conditions

Slippery rocks become extremely hazardous. Consider a helmet if conditions are wet. Reddit

🐒 Spot Wildlife

Keep an eye out for Black Capuchin monkeys and other native fauna. Reddit

📝 Register at Both Ends

Mandatory registration is required at the start and end points of the trail. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.9
(810 reviews)

Reviews Summary

The Caminho do Itupava is a historically rich and challenging 20km trail through the Atlantic Forest. Visitors praise its unique ancient stone paving, the peaceful natural environment, and the discovery of hidden ruins and waterfalls. However, the trail's significant slipperiness, especially when wet, is a major concern, requiring careful preparation and sturdy footwear.

"Challenging historic trail for walking, about 20km. There is registration at the start and also at the end. I do not recommend walking the trail during wet conditions as the sloped slippery rocks become very hazardous. If conditions are wet you would almost want to consider wearing a rock climbing helmet to avoid cracking open your head on the stone paving on the trail.

There are some interesting ruins, with a swimming hole and waterfalls near to them just down the train tracks. There was a dam, and also a train monument to see. The forest is quite peaceful and there were quite a few b Black Capuchin monkeys that I encountered.

It was interesting to imagine all of the slaves paving the trail and the journey required to reach Curitiba so many years ago. You should have hiking boots, rain jacket, flashlight, water, and food for this one."

Simon G

"I came here with a local guide, Joao, whom I met through Airbnb. We walked through the Atlantic forests early in a Sunday morning when there were no crowds (around 7am). The path to the falls was a little slippery in between but nothing much to be afraid of. It started to get crowded as we were returning. There are no restrooms on the way. But the whole experience is worth visiting at least once if you are in Curitiba."

Vanya Bisht

"Incredible experience on this century old hiking trail!"

Eder Basso

What People Like

Historic stone paving
Lush Atlantic Forest
Hidden ruins and waterfalls

What People Dislike

Very slippery when wet
Challenging terrain

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The Caminho do Itupava is typically accessed from Quatro Barras (start) and ends in Morretes. Many visitors arrange transportation with local guides or tour groups that offer pick-up and drop-off services from Curitiba. Instagram+1

Yes, it's a popular day trip. Many organized tours provide round-trip transportation from Curitiba, making it convenient. Instagram

Yes, some sections of the trail are near the train tracks, and you can find interesting spots like ruins and waterfalls by exploring along them. Reddit

While the trail is marked, many recommend going with a local guide for safety and to learn about its history. InstagramReddit

The full trail is approximately 20-26 km and can take anywhere from 7 to 10 hours to complete, depending on your pace and stops. Instagram+2

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

While there isn't a traditional ticket purchase, registration is mandatory at both the start and end points of the trail. Reddit

There is no direct entrance fee, but you must complete a risk acknowledgment form. Organized tours may have fees that include transportation and guides. Instagram+1

The trail is generally open for visitation, but it's best to check with local authorities or your tour operator for any specific hours or access restrictions. Starting early is recommended. Instagram

If you are going with an organized group or guide, booking in advance is highly recommended. For independent trekkers, early arrival is key. Instagram

This is a risk acknowledgment form that visitors must sign, indicating they understand the potential hazards of the trail. It can often be found on the IAT (Instituto Ambiental do Paraná) website. Instagram

🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience

It's considered a challenging trail, especially due to its length (20-26 km) and the slippery nature of the stone paving, particularly when wet. InstagramReddit

You'll encounter historic stone paving, forest paths, and potentially muddy or slippery sections, especially after rain. InstagramReddit

No, there are no restrooms available along the Caminho do Itupava. Be prepared to go without facilities for the duration of your trek. Reddit

The trail passes through the Atlantic Forest, offering opportunities to see Black Capuchin monkeys and other native species. Reddit

Due to its challenging nature and slippery terrain, it's generally recommended for older children and experienced hikers. Parents should carefully assess their child's capabilities. Instagram

📸 📸 Photography

Capture the ancient stone paving, the lush Atlantic Forest scenery, hidden ruins, waterfalls, and any wildlife you encounter. InstagramReddit

Early morning light can be beautiful for capturing the misty forest atmosphere. Midday sun can be harsh, but still offers good light for the ruins and waterfalls. Reddit

A wide-angle lens is great for landscapes, and a telephoto lens can be useful for wildlife. A sturdy tripod can help with low-light conditions. Ensure your gear is protected from moisture. Instagram

Look for clearings in the forest that offer expansive views, and don't miss the picturesque spots near the ruins and waterfalls. Reddit

Focus on the textures of the stone paving, the scale of the forest, and any man-made elements like ruins to convey the trail's age and history. InstagramReddit

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