FACTS ABOUT SERRAS GAUCHAS: It is a mountain range in the south of Brazil, were several wine producers are located and were it is possible to enjoy untouched nature, rich fauna & flora, and the culture of Brazilian Gauchos. It is a wide area, but the main towns are; Bento Goncalves, Garibaldi, Gramado, Canela, Sao Francisco de Paula and Cambara do Sul.

To have an idea of the extension of the area, here some distances:
Porto Alegre > Caxias do Sul: 136 KM
Caxias do Sul > Bento Goncalves: 42 KM
Bento Goncalves > Garibaldi: 16 KM
Porto Alegre > Gramado: 131 KM
Caxias do Sul > Gramado: 68 KM
Gramado > Canela: 8 KM
Sao Francisco de Paula > Canela: 35 KM
Sao Francisco de Paula > Cambara do Sul: 80 KM
Sao Francisco de Paula > Porto Alegre: 117 KM

HOW IS SERRAS GAUCHAS: The southernmost state of Brazil, State of Rio Grande do Sul, is a very fertile and mountainous part of the country. The region is locally named “Serras Gauchas” and is inhabited by a mix of German and Italian immigrants, with Indians and Rio Grande do Sul mountaineers. There are several picturesque townships of interest that attracts tourists from not only Porto Alegre but also cities like Sao Paulo & Rio de Janeiro. Descendants from Italy and Germany have made profound impressions in the local culinary and production of wine. In Garibaldi are the largest producers of champagne and in Bento Gonçalves there are excellent producers of table wines. The local cantinas open their doors for visits and wine-tasting during commercial hours, some popular vineyards to visit are “Casa Valduga”, “Miolo” and ”Don Giovanni”. The most charming and some affected cities are Gramado and Canela that are crowded of local tourists during the winter months and some local events and holidays. Besides the wine yards, another main attraction in this region is the National Parks of Aparados da Serra and Serra Geral. There is a fabulous nature, with a very rich fauna and flora, and fantastic canyons. As the village of Cambará do Sul is very simple with poor inns, the nearest town of São Francisco de Paula serves as a strategic base to visit the National Parks of Aparados da Serra and Serra Geral.

WHEN TO GO / CLIMATE: The climate in the mountains is temperate and always humid. The average annual temperature is around 21ºC (70ºF) – with highs varying between 24ºC (75ºF) and 27ºC (80ºF) and lows between 9ºC (48ºF) and 15ºC (59ºF). To face the cold and humidity we suggest the use of warm, waterproof clothing, also known as wind breakers on tours to open spaces and constant wind. The best time of the year to visit Cambará do Sul as well as the national parks is during the winter months – between May and August – when the risks of fog are reduced, although it is very cold in this region. The city is located on the Araucarias Plateau, in Rio Grande do Sul State’s northeast, bordering Santa Catarina State and other cities in Rio Grande do Sul. During summer months have more rain and lower visibility; with risk of fog in the canyons.

HOW TO GO: By air to the airport in Porto Alegre or (if operating) to the airport in Caxias do Sul. Then, from one of these airports; by car - rented car or a contracted transporter with driver and (upon request) with local guide.

HOW LONG STAY: Depending the interest of each traveler, but we suggest at least one night stay at a vineyard plus a two night stay near to the national parks (recommended in Sao Francisco de Paula). But a longer stay can be justified by your interest in one or several of the attractions below.

WHAT TO DO IN SERRAS GAUCHAS: There are many events and attractions in this region, below we present the main attractions and events, presented town by town:

EVENTS:
Aparados da Serra Horseback Ride (Cambará do Sul)
For one week in July, hundreds of horsemen ride along the canyons, in typical scenes from Campos de Cima da Serra. Overnight stays are in farms around the area and there are support trucks throughout the journey. The itinerary covers the cities of São Francisco de Paula, Jaquirana, Cambará do Sul, São José dos Ausentes and Bom Jardim da Serra.

International Puppet Theater Festival (Canela)
This event has the participation of national and international groups. There are presentations in theaters, at schools and on the streets. It lasts four days and is held annually between the months of June and August.

Gramado Film Festival (Gramado)
Main Brazilian event in the field and one of the most important in Latin America, the Gramado Film Festival happens annually since 1973, for six days in the month of August. Actors, directors, technicians and visitors give prestige to the competition, which shows dozens of films and offers prizes in two categories: Brazilian productions and Latin-American, Portuguese and Spanish films. The program also incudes short films, independent films, workshops and talks. The screenings are at the Festivals Palace – with capacity for 1,200 people – and at the Municipal Culture Center. All the screenings are open to the public, who can even participate on the judgment of the films.

Winter Festival (Gramado)
This Festival brings together music, literature, crafts and cinema in Gramado. It happens between July 1st and September 20th, when the city becomes the capital of winter and culture. The schedule includes established events such as the Film Festival and the Book Fair, and also new events such as the Gramado Canta e Encanta project. Altogether there are over 50 musical shows.

Colônia’s Party (Gramado)
Event with food stalls and many other typical products, crafts, music and dance from the Italian and German communities. The Party happens every year, between the months of March and April.

ATTRACTIONS:
Attractions - CANELA:
Caracol Park
The Caracol Waterfall, formed by the small stream with the same name, has a 131 meter (430 ft) freefall over basaltic rock formations, creating a scene of rare beauty. The Park is located 7 km (4.5 miles) from Canela and it has modern infrastructure, with a lookout, restaurant, leisure area, arts and crafts fair and ecology trails.

Ferradura Park
It is 6 km (3.75 miles) from Caracol Park, and it gets its name from the bend the Caí River makes there. It offers trails that last from 10 minutes to 3 hours, has three lookout points with panoramic views, and an area with a snack bar, playground, barbeque pits and bathrooms. The Ferradura Park is the right place to go for those visiting Canela in search of integration with nature. You can climb the walls of the Canyon, which is 420 meters (1375 feet) deep, or visit the Arroio Caçador waterfall over the Park’s trails.

Rafting on the Paranhana River
Rafting begins at the dam and the route is approximately 4 km (2.5 miles) long, lasting 2 hours. During the trip, it is possible to enjoy the beautiful scenery along the Paranhana River Valley where Italian colonization predominates. It forms the border between the cities of Três Coroas and Canela.

Shopping – Canela
Casa dos Bonecos (House of Dolls)
Regional arts and crafts, rag dolls of all sizes.
Caracol Road, 3915, 6 km (3.75 miles) / Oswaldo Aranha Avenue, 266. Open from 9AM to 6PM.

Attractions - GRAMADO:
Paragliding
The sport is one of the hang gliding modalities and arrived in Brazil in 1989; a year later it could be seen in the skies of Rio Grande do Sul. Since then the techniques and gear have been evolving, allowing ever better performances. Age or physical types don’t matter for those wishing to learn to “fly” on a paraglider. The greatest excitement of the flight is in the combination of the right techniques with the Nature factors. It is possible to fly without engine, for long distances, and at great heights – two or three thousand meters, for example. What determines the duration of a flight is the climate conditions, and it should be possible to remain flying for up to ten hours.

Mini World
Miniature city with replicas of castles and homes in typical European style, mills, squares, railways and cascades. The miniature city is featured permanently at Horácio Cardoso Street with Pedro Candiago Street, and is open to the public Tuesday to Sunday from 1pm to 5pm.

CTG Rodeio Velho Museum or Museum of the Gaúcho Serrano
The only museum in the State dedicated exclusively to show the habits of the gaúcho serrano. It was organized by Lúcio and Cilda Petersen for 50 years, and brings rare pieces from the time of the Farroupilha Revolution and the so called Leather Era.

There one can find exclusive crafts, such as the surrão, a leather storage for keeping cereals, the genuine boleadeira, the tirador, the badana, the soveu and many pieces made of Bolivian silver; all collected from the region of São Francisco de Paula, Bom Jesus, Lajeado Grande, Vacaria, Cambará, Canela and Gramado. In total there are over 1,500 objects registered. There are also viola players playing typical music from the highland gaúchos. The museum is located at Rua Augusto Zatti, 55. It is open to visitors twice a month – every first and second Thursday – from 8pm to 10pm.

Perfume Museum
The first of this kind in the Country. There the visitor can know the world perfumery classics. The place has around 450 bottles of the main international perfumes, with data on the composition, manufacturer, history and curiosities. Besides the Museum, there is also a shop and a perfume factory. It also sells sachets, soaps, shampoos and conditioners. The Perfume Museum is located at Hortênsias Avenue, 3662 and opens daily, including weekends and public holidays, from 9am to 6pm.

Santa Claus Village
Created by Oscar Knorr in 1940, there’s a Santa’s House, a wood and the Vale dos Quilombos observatory. It is on Bela Vista Street and is open for public visiting from Monday to Friday, from 2pm to 9pm and on weekends from 10am to 9pm.

Shopping - Gramado

Colonial Furniture
Shops in the city center and on the road to Canela.

Crystals
There are crystal pieces of all types, formats and sizes. Shop opens from 9am to 7pm. At the back there is a demonstration of crystal making, from 9am to 7pm. Access through the RS-115, towards Taquara, km 37.

Chocolates
At the city center, many factories and shops such as Caracol, Lugano, Planalto and Prawer sell the famous “Gramado chocolate” in bars, branches, bombons, truffles, liqueurs and different shapes for children. You must try them!

Aparados da Serra National Park
Created in 1959, it has an area of 102 km (10,200 ha.) and a perimeter of 63 km (40 miles). In the middle of this vast area, there are several ecosystems. The Atlantic Rain Forest is along the low part of the canyons, while fields are spread across plateau, interspersed by peat bogs – rich in moss, lichen and bamboo – in the damp areas. Vegetation, such as ferns, lilies and bromeliads, sprouts from the slopes. And a curious species, known as the busting nettle calls attention for its enormous leaves that measure up to 1.5 meters and attach themselves to the slope’s rocks. The park’s fauna is also varied and includes azure jays, hawk-headed parrots, skunks, agoutis and monkeys that can be easily observed along the trails and on tours through the region’s canyons and waterfalls, making the landscape even more charming.

Itaimbezinho Canyon
This is Aparados da Serra National Park’s most famous canyon: 720 meters deep, 6 km long and 200 m wide. It stands out for its vertical rocky cliffs with little vegetation on its steep slope. The canyon is cut by the Perdizes and Preá Rivers, which form the Boi River. It is located only 80 m from the park’s Visitor’s Center and can be seen along the Vértice and Cotovelo Belvedere trails – considered the canyon’s classic view, where you get an idea of the magnitude of the place.

Andorinhas (Swallow) Falls
It is formed by the steep slopes of Itaimbezinho, into which the Perdizes River flows, and can be seen from the Vértice Trail and the Cotovelo Belvedere. Under the falls, a gap in the rocks serves as a home to swallows that fly in and out between the water all day and retire to its interior at dusk – a beautiful show.

Véu da Noiva (Bride’s Veil) Falls
This waterfall is formed near the Cotovelo Belvedere, on the Arroio do Preá. It can also be seen from the Vértice Trail and its location provides good hiking trails and a natural belvedere where it is possible to observe the breathtaking beauty of the park.

Vértice Trail
It runs 1.4 km (0,87 miles) along Itaimbezinho canyon. It is classified as a light trail, with signs all along the way explaining what is ahead. From it, one can see the Andorinhas and the Véu de Noiva Falls. It is accessed from the park’s Visitor Center.

Cotovelo Belvedere Trail
A natural belvedere on the edge of Itaimbezinho canyon, providing a general view of the area and local landscape. It can be reached over a 6.3 km (4 miles) trail on flat ground, passing by Arroio do Prediz and Véu de Noiva Falls, along the canyon. For this tour, the presence of an accredited guide is necessary and departures from the Visitor’s Center are only permitted until 3PM.

Boi River Trail
It is located on the park’s low part, in Praia Grande. It is recommended for those with experience in trekking, because it is an hour walk through the canyon – most on the Rocky River bed. This tour is not offered during the rainy season – between April and May – the presence of a guide is mandatory.

In the neighboring areas

Faxinalzinho Canyon
This is the most remote canyon in the region. It is located in the South of the park. It has a beautiful, 400 m high, rocky cliff. The richness of the natural beauty makes the distance traveled worthwhile.

Ferradurinha – Hell’s Path Falls
The 10 km (16 mile) dirt road follows Santa Cruz and Ferradurinha rivers. From the metal bridge over the Santa Cruz River one can see Hell’s Way Falls. The waterfall forms a natural pool. Descending on an inner tube provides the most fun on the tour.

Ferradura Park – Santa Cruz River Valley
It is an hour walk, downhill, passing by three belvederes where it is possible to see the Santa Cruz River horseshoe. During the tour one can see the Arroio Caçador Falls, a good place for bathing. The return is done over another trail, a less difficult one.

Rafting on the Paranhãna River – Laranjeiras Park
The tour starts at the Canela-Três Coroas road. It takes one and a half hour down the Paranhãna River, in the middle of well preserved vegetation. Most of the way is formed of river rapids and the Laranjeiras Park is at the end, where regular canoeing championships are held.

São José dos Ausentes
The highest peak in Rio Grande do Sul is located in São José dos Ausentes: Monte Negro, a 1,403 m high mountain. There is also a ramp for glider jumping. Another local attraction are the wooden houses without heating in some of the coldest weather in Brazil, where records of -7.5ºC (18ºF) are reached, followed by snow. It is located 70 km (43 miles) from the park.

Serra Geral National Park
Situated between Cambará do Sul, in Rio Grande do Sul State, and Praia Grande and Jacinto Machado, in Santa Catarina State, Serra Geral National Park was created in 1992. It is an extension of its neighbor, Aparados da Serra, and has an area of 173 km2 (17,300 ha.). There are more than 60 canyons distributed over the region, and although they are all similar, the surprise and fascination when approaching the edge of each one is unique. The one that calls most attention and surprises by its magnitude is the Fortaleza Canyon, with more than 7 km in extension (4.4 miles). Araucaria Forests, highlighting the Paraná araucária, pepper trees, oak trees, kinds of holly, and Scotch pine; grasses that prevail on the fields; and the Atlantic Pluvial Forest, with several species such as maria-mole trees and the canchara cabralea, coexist in the park. The guará wolf, cougar, and pampas deer can only be seen in places of difficult access. Among the local birds, the black-and-white crested hawk and the gray-eagle, which today are threatened with extinction, stand out.

Fortaleza Canyon
This is the region’s biggest canyon. If all reentries were measured, it would have a 30 km (18 mile) edge and 7.5 km (4 miles) extension. The name originated from the cliff formation, which reminds us of a fortress. On clear days, it is possible to see the sea. To get to the canyon belvedere it is necessary to travel along a 25 minute trail, passing by a beautiful waterfall on the way.

Churriado Canyon
It is located 12 km (7.5 miles) from the maximum point that can be reached by car. The hike takes approximately 3 hours and must be started very early in order to avoid the fog that forms at the end of the afternoon. The scenery is beautiful.

Indian Canyon
It has the shape of a narrow ravine, much smaller than the other canyons. To get there, follow an easy and short trail for approximately 15 minutes, starting at the inspection post on Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul border.

Molha-Coco Canyon
Also situated in the canyons’ low part, this ravine holds a surprise: one of the most beautiful local waterfalls, surrounded by completely preserved Mata Atlântica. This canyon is sought by mountain climbers who cross through the interior of this spectacular rocky formation.

Malacara Canyon
This canyon can be visited at the top of its 900 m elevation after an 8 hour walk or from below, coming in from the inside, over a 3 hour trail, along the river bed. Because it is very high, it presents an enormous contrast in vegetation – on the high part, the Araucaria Forest prevails, and on the low part, the Mata Atlântica.

Secret Stone and Tigre Preto Fall
The trail has a medium degree of difficulty. It crosses the Arroio do Segredo – a shallow creek, with a very slippery bottom. After the Arroio there is the Tigre Preto Falls, where bathing is allowed. Above, there is the Secret Stone Belvedere, a 5 m high rocky formation supported by a very small, thin base, approximately 50 cm (19 inches) in diameter.

In the neighboring areas

Venâncio Waterfalls
Lageado river, a very wide river, narrows suddenly, forming a sequence of 5 falls – locally known as the “mini Iguaçu Falls”, because they resemble Paraná’s famous waterfalls, although much lower. The highest is 5 m high and it gushes a 100 m (328 feet) wall of water. The pools it forms are good for bathing. Access is through the Fazenda da Cachoeira, on kilometer 13 of the road to Jaquirana.

Buoy-Cross on Mambituba River
The place is privileged for its beauty and the transparency of its water coming down from a canyon. The tour schedule, buoy rental, water-proof clothing and life-saver vests must be handled in Praia Grande, on the canyons’ low part.

Passo do ‘S’ Falls
Two large and shallow rivers forming an “S” can be crossed on foot, over a very slippery rock bottom. After the crossing, one reaches several 30 m high falls, forming a beautiful view. It is accessed by Bom Jesus road, via Várzea do Cedro.

Rappel on Castãozinho, CTG and Borges Waterfalls
These are the only waterfalls in the area where rappel is allowed. They are located 6 km (3 miles) from Praia Grande.

SHOPPING in Cambará do Sul

Wool Ponchos
The ponchos are made in rustic looms.
They can be found on Avenida Getúlio Vargas, 1004 – from 8:30AM to 11:30AM and from 1:30PM to 8PM. And on Rua Adail de Lima Valim, 39 - from 8:30AM to 12PM and from 1:30PM to 5:30PM.