Rio Negrinho combines marked cycling and hiking routes with a local history that can be experienced through its buildings and railway station. The Lago da Represa de Volta Grande, a reservoir within the municipality, is another highlight.
Cycling and hiking routes on the Circuito das Araucárias
The Circuito das Araucárias includes a 270-kilometre cycling route through four cities in the Planalto Norte Catarinense, including Rio Negrinho. There are also 352 kilometres of mapped hiking trails, spread across 15 routes ranging from 15 to 34 kilometres and extending through Campo Alegre, Corupá, São Bento do Sul and Rio Negrinho. The cycling route and the hiking trails are therefore two distinct offerings within the Circuito, not two figures for the same tour.
It is helpful to distinguish between an individual route and the total distance. The 270 kilometres refer to the cycling route; the 352 kilometres are the total length of the mapped hiking trails. For the hiking trails, the 15 individual routes and their respective lengths give a more precise picture than the total alone. If you are interested in an active trip, you can choose between a multi-city cycling route and several mapped hiking options. The names of the four locations also make clear that the hiking trails are spread across Campo Alegre, Corupá, São Bento do Sul and Rio Negrinho.
Protected area and reservoir
The landscapes also differ in character. Parque das Araucárias is a privately owned natural heritage conservation area recognized by the state, located in the municipality of Rio Negrinho in the state of Santa Catarina. Lago da Represa de Volta Grande, by contrast, is a 15-kilometre-long reservoir in the municipality, between the Distrito de Volta Grande and Serro Azul. It is 45 kilometres from the city centre. This figure specifically locates the lake in relation to the centre and distinguishes its location from sites in the town centre.
Both the length and the named reference points help you find your way around the reservoir: the 15 kilometres describe the lake, while Distrito de Volta Grande and Serro Azul indicate its location within the municipality. Together with the natural heritage conservation area, they offer two distinct landscape settings to consider when planning your trip. Parque das Araucárias is a private conservation area, while Lago da Represa de Volta Grande is an elongated reservoir at a stated distance from the city centre. You can therefore choose based on whether you are more interested in the protected area or the waterside landscape.
Architectural history and railway heritage
The centrally located Casarão Zipperer is a clearly dated cultural and historical landmark in Rio Negrinho. Construction began in 1919, and the building was inaugurated on November 4, 1924. A later milestone in its history was its recognition as community heritage under Decree No. 3354 of November 10, 1998. The Fundação Catarinense de Cultura confirmed its protected status. The start of construction, inauguration and recognition represent different stages in the history of the house.
Another chapter in the area’s heritage is associated with the Estação Ferroviária. The station is protected as a state heritage site and houses a museum with equipment from the railway system. The ABPF is also based at the Estação Ferroviária. The focus at Casarão Zipperer is on the dated stages of its construction and recognition; at the station, heritage protection, railway equipment and the ABPF’s headquarters come together. Rio Negrinho thus offers both architectural and railway-history landmarks, alongside the routes and landscapes of the Circuito das Araucárias.
Discover more destinations: Florianópolis, Jaguaruna, Biguaçu, Hercílio Luz, Brusque, Curitibanos, Guaramirim, Ôlho D'água.
For the broader travel overview: Santa Catarina.
