Route

The Route of the 10 Waterfalls runs from Conceição do Mato Dentro, heading South North, to Congonhas do Norte, heading North South, both municipalities in Minas Gerais. The route follows roads and trails that pass through rural and quilombola communities, including Três Barras, Cubas, Tabuleiro, Parauninha, Candeias, Baú, and Extrema. Along the way, you can discover dozens of unforgettable waterfalls, far beyond the ten suggested by the name of the Route! Starting from the district of Três Barras or the Community of Extrema, be sure to visit the waterfalls in this order: Três Barras, Peixe Cru, Tabuleiro, Congonhas, Altar, Rabo de Cavalo, Bocaina, Gurita, Prainha, and Cachoeira da Fumaça. The trail is divided into 5 sections: A, B, C, D, and E. Section A: from Três Barras to Cubas, passes by the Três Barras and Peixe Cru waterfalls. It is the shortest and one of the easiest routes to complete. Its main axis is only 5.7 km long. Add to this the round trip paths to access the two waterfalls in this section; Section B: from Cubas to Tabuleiro, passes by the impressive Tabuleiro Waterfall, considered one of the most beautiful in Brazil. It has 17.3 km in its main axis. It is considered difficult due to its elevation and distance, requiring good preparation from hikers. On the other hand, it is the section that allows for stunning views amidst the rocky fields at altitudes above 1000 meters; Section C: from Tabuleiro to Parauninha, passes by the Congonhas waterfalls, still in the Tabuleiro region, as well as the Altar and Rabo de Cavalo waterfalls. With 8.5 km in the main axis, it is considered of moderate difficulty because part of the route consists of uphill roads but does not cross technically difficult trails. In addition to the natural attractions, this section stands out for being a bucolic path that crosses small rural properties with landscapes that blend small property houses, Atlantic Forest patches, planted pastures, and areas with native grassland vegetation; Section D: from Parauninha to Cachoeira da Fumaça/Baú, passes by the Bocaina, Gurita, and Prainha waterfalls. It has 12 km in its main axis. Although it is not the section with the highest elevation on the route, it is still the second longest route and is therefore considered of moderate difficulty. In this part of the trail, one of the striking points is the impressive landscapes of the Parauninha valley amidst the cliffs of the Serra do Intendente State Park and the Serra do Funil; Section E: from Cachoeira da Fumaça to Extrema, in Congonhas do Norte, where the impressive Cachoeira da Fumaça is located.