Itati is accessible via the Rota do Sol (ERS-486); the paved RS-486 crosses the municipality. Check current road conditions before setting out. In the wider regional area, the Rota do Sol route passes through three protected areas: the Aratinga State Ecological Station, the Rota do Sol Environmental Protection Area, and the Mata Paludosa Biological Reserve. The road route and the boundaries of the protected areas are different spatial references: the road crosses Itati, while the Environmental Protection Area includes several municipalities.

Protected Areas and Water Resources

The Rota do Sol Environmental Protection Area includes the municipalities of Itati, Cambará do Sul, Três Forquilhas, and São Francisco de Paula. 71 percent of the APA’s area is preserved. Its conservation objectives include protecting water resources, particularly the headwaters of the Tainhas and Três Forquilhas rivers. The APA also serves as a buffer zone for the Aratinga State Ecological Station and forms an ecological corridor between Serra Geral National Park and the Serra Geral Biological Reserve. These functions relate to different protected areas: the APA serves as a buffer for ESEC Aratinga; the corridor runs between the two Serra Geral protected areas.

The Aratinga State Ecological Station extends across Itati and São Francisco de Paula and covers 5,882 hectares. It is home to plant and animal species, including endangered species. This area figure applies to the ESEC, which extends across both municipalities, not to Itati alone.

Road Scenery and Waterfalls

The attractions of Serra do Pinto are within the municipality of Itati. The section of the Rota do Sol at Serra do Pinto gains almost 1,000 meters in elevation over just over ten kilometers. The two figures have different scopes: the first locates attractions within the municipality, while the second describes the elevation gain along a specific road section. Another distinct natural attraction is Salto da Aratinga: the waterfall is 164 meters high and lies on Arroio Carvalho, on the border between Itati and São Francisco de Paula. Access is restricted.

Hiking Trails and Visit Planning

When choosing a route, it is useful to distinguish between them: the 128-kilometer Trilha dos Canyons ends in Itati. The 128 kilometers refer to the route’s total length, not to a distance within the municipality. The Chapada dos Vaga-lumes hiking trail in Itati is a different option. A description from January 2023 mentions four waterfalls along this trail, as well as a so-called infinity pool above a 35-meter-high waterfall. This places a regional route’s endpoint alongside a locally situated trail with specific waterfall features. Local access conditions for the Chapada trail may change; check them before visiting.

Activities at ESEC Aratinga

Scientific and educational activities at the Aratinga State Ecological Station require prior authorization from the management and advance registration. If you are planning such an activity, confirm both steps with the management in advance.

Discover more destinations: Não-Me-Toque, Caxias do Sul, Frederico Westphalen, Palmeira das MissõEs, Novo Machado, Guaíba, São José do Norte, Protásio Alves

For the broader travel overview: Rio Grande Do Sul.