Canyons, coastal landscapes, and historic sites offer different perspectives on Rio Grande do Sul. If you are planning a trip to the region, you can start by choosing your focus: trails and viewpoints, natural and cultural heritage, or places where the landscape meets local history.

Canyons and Hiking Trails in the Spotlight

The main attractions of Parque Nacional da Serra Geral include the Mirante do Fortaleza, Pedra do Segredo, and Borda dos Cânions trails. At Cânion Fortaleza, Trilha do Mirante offers a view of the canyon; on clear days, you can also see part of the Rio Grande do Sul coast from there. At Trilha da Cachoeira do Tigre Preto, the waters of Arroio Segredo plunge downward. Pedra do Segredo is a five-meter-high, 30-ton boulder balanced on a 50-centimeter-wide base.

The main entrance to Parque Nacional da Serra Geral is 22 km from Cambará do Sul and can be reached via a well-maintained unpaved road. As road conditions can change, check them before setting out. It is also advisable to check current access conditions for specific trails.

Cânion Itaimbezinho is located in Parque Nacional de Aparados da Serra on RS 429, 18 km from downtown Cambará do Sul. The upper trails, Trilha do Vértice and Trilha do Cotovelo, extend for 5 to 9 km through Araucaria forest and highland grassland; there are viewpoints and picnic areas along the way. From Trilha do Vértice, you can see the Andorinhas and Véu de Noiva waterfalls. Trilha do Rio do Boi is 8 to 10 km long and passes through Atlantic Forest and riparian woodland, along the canyon slope and the rocks on the riverbank, as well as across a river crossing. The trail descriptions therefore highlight different features: the upper trails focus on viewpoints and vegetation, while Rio do Boi focuses on the river course and crossing.

Other Nature and Landscape Destinations

Cânion Monte Negro is home to Pico do Monte Negro, the highest point in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, at 1,403 meters. At Cânion Boa Vista in São José dos Ausentes, visitors can reach the rim on foot, by bike, or on horseback; check current visitor conditions in advance. In Parque José Lutzenberger, also known as Parque da Guarita, the contrast between the basalt towers and the sea shapes the landscape of Torres. Also in Torres, Ponte Pênsil opened in 1985. The bridge, made of wood and steel cables, is exclusively for pedestrians.

Estação Ecológica do Taim is among the areas in South America with especially large numbers of waterbirds. At Parque Estadual de Itapuã, Praia das Pombas and Praia da Pedreira are open to visitors; attendance is limited to 350 people per beach per day. Check the current restrictions before visiting. In Canela, landscaped and signposted trails in Parque do Caracol wind through the forest to a 27-meter-high tower with a panoramic elevator and a 360-degree view of the park. You can check access and operating conditions in advance. CECLIMAR in Imbé includes an environmental education trail, a small zoo, a museum, and aquariums; check the accessibility of its facilities before visiting. The Jardim Paleobotânico in Mata displays fossilized trees.

Geopark, History, and Regional Culture

Quarta Colônia UNESCO Global Geopark is located in central Rio Grande do Sul, where the Pampa meets the Atlantic Forest. It covers 2,923 km² and nine municipalities. Evidence of dinosaur evolution can also be found there. The regional setting brings together questions of landscape and paleontological heritage, without limiting a visit to a single exhibit.

Parque Histórico Nacional das Missões was established in 2009 by Decree No. 6.844. It comprises four archaeological sites: São Miguel Arcanjo in São Miguel das Missões, São Lourenço Mártir in São Luiz Gonzaga, São Nicolau in São Nicolau, and São João Batista in Entre-Ijuís. Those interested in this historical focus can consider the places and their respective sites as distinct destinations.

The historic center of Santa Tereza, protected by IPHAN in 2012, was built in the 19th and 20th centuries by immigrants from various regions of Italy. The protected area is reminiscent of communities in Veneto. In the historic center of Mostardas, a cultural walk introduces visitors to the history of Azorean colonization, as well as the architecture, construction methods, and religious significance of the buildings. In Dom Feliciano, visitors can experience Polish customs and traditions. In parts of Rio Grande do Sul where Portuguese settlement predominates, during the Christmas season singers and instrumentalists visit homes in cities, towns, and on fazendas, announcing the birth of the infant Jesus.

Wine and food can also be a focus of a trip. The wine region combines vineyard slopes and wineries open to visitors with wine and sparkling wine tastings, food pairings, dining, and artistic performances. At Divinut's factory shop in Cachoeira do Sul, visitors can taste pecans and buy Divinut products; check in advance whether visits are currently possible.

Choosing Places for Your Trip

The region’s destinations offer different experiences, from canyon trails with specified distances to coastal and bird habitats, historic places, and wine experiences. First decide which places you want to visit, then look for hotels suited to that focus. That way, you can start your search for accommodation with your destinations in mind, rather than treating the whole region as a single base.

Discover more destinations: Porto Alegre, Gramado, Caxias Do Sul, Bento Gonçalves, Itapuã, Pontão, Canela, Getúlio Vargas, Erechim, Floriano Peixoto, Gravataí, Novo Hamburgo, Nova Petrópolis, Passo Fundo, Torres, Campo Bom, Santana Do Livramento, Canoas, São Leopoldo, Venâncio Aires, São Francisco De Paula, Rio Grande, Cachoeira Do Sul, Santa Cruz Do Sul, Esteio, Itaqui, Nova Prata, Cachoeirinha, Alto Uruguai, Garibaldi, Tramandaí, Flores Da Cunha, Colinas, Picada Café, Chuí, Bagé, Vera Cruz, Santa Maria, São Gabriel, São Borja, Giruá, Soledade, Jaguarão, Uruguaiana, Pelotas, Igrejinha, Farroupilha, Camaquã, Ivoti, Antônio Prado, Teutônia, Imbé, Viamão, Três Coroas, Tavares, Montenegro, Santiago, Santo Ângelo, Capão Da Canoa, Lajeado, Maçambara, Carazinho, Cotiporã, Cristal, Sapiranga, Triunfo, São Jorge, Quebracho, Tapera, Bom Princípio, Taquari, Várzea Do Cedro, Pinhal, Alegrete, Telmo Fontoura, Santa Rosa, Manuel Viana, São Miguel Das Missões, Muçum, Rosário Do Sul, Nova Hartz, Taquara, Arambaré, São João Do Polêsine, Barreto, Portão, Dois Irmãos, Veranópolis, São Pedro Do Sul, Xangri-Lá, São Lourenço do Sul, Ibirubá, Osório, Chapada, Caraá, Coronel Bicaco, Arroio do Sal, Canguçu, Ijuí, Nova Pádua, São Luiz Gonzaga, Candiota, Palmitinho, Lagoa Vermelha, Tapejara, Engenho Velho, Sarandi, Encantado, Carlos Barbosa, Arroio do Meio, Machadinho, Pinto Bandeira, Estrela, Cruz Alta, Ametista do Sul, Marcelino Ramos, Cidreira, Morro Redondo, Restinga Seca, Nova Bassano, Passo do Cação, Protásio Alves, Santa Vitória do Palmar, Palmeira das MissõEs, Estância Velha, Caçapava do Sul, São José do Norte, Rio Grande, Feliz, Arroio dos Ratos, Porto Alegre, Itati, Frederico Westphalen, Guaíba, Novo Machado, Rodeio Bonito, Cambará do Sul, Não-Me-Toque, Igrejinha, Caxias do Sul, São Jerônimo, Eldorado do Sul, Guaporé.

For the main travel overview: Brazil.