cave · Lençóis, BA
Gruta do Lapão
A sandstone and conglomerate cave in Parque Nacional da Chapada Diamantina, with an internal route of about 800 meters. The eastern entrance, 80 meters wide and 40 meters high, is said to be the largest in the country among caves in this type of rock.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Gruta do Lapão
Gruta do Lapão is a sandstone and conglomerate cave inside Parque Nacional da Chapada Diamantina, near downtown Lençóis. It is known for its enormous mouth, said to be the largest in Brazil among sandstone caves. The eastern entrance can be seen from far away, on the road into Lençóis.
The rock formed more than a billion years ago. The Lapão River runs through the cave, and it was the water that carved out its chambers. Inside there are still traces of 19th-century diamond mining.
The outing starts with a trail through the brush to the mouth of the cave. Then comes the crossing through the interior, in the dark, among loose rocks and through the riverbed. The exit is on the mountainside, on the other side. At the entrance, agencies take groups rappelling down the rock wall, and the surrounding boulders are used for climbing.
The effort is moderate. There are steep descents, loose boulders and stretches with water, so the outing is not suitable for people with limited mobility. Visits are only allowed with a licensed guide, and the crossing is canceled when it rains or the river rises.
Before you go
Practical information
How much time to set aside
Set aside half a day: between the trail, the cave crossing and the return, the circuit takes a few hours.
Best time
In the dry season, in the morning, when the river inside the cave is low and the risk of a sudden flood is lower; after days of rain the crossing is not done.
How to get there
It is a few kilometers from downtown Lençóis. By car, take the dirt road to Barro Branco to near the communications tower, where the trail of about half an hour begins. You can also walk from town, leaving by the cemetery side, on a hike of about an hour.
Tip
Bring a headlamp with extra batteries and shoes that can get wet, because the cave has no lighting and there are stretches with water.
A look at the place
Gruta do Lapão in pictures
These pictures are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs. They may differ from the place.
Click the picture to enlarge it.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Gruta do Lapão
Do I need a guide to visit Gruta do Lapão?
Yes. The cave is in Parque Nacional da Chapada Diamantina and visits must be made with a licensed guide. You are not allowed to go in alone.
Is there an entrance fee for Gruta do Lapão?
There is no park entrance fee. The cost is the fee of the guide or agency that organizes the outing.
How long does the outing take?
The circuit with the trail and the cave crossing takes a few hours. Plan on half a day.
Is the Gruta do Lapão trail difficult?
It is moderate. It has steep descents, loose rocks and a river crossing inside the cave. It takes basic fitness.
Can I go in the rainy season?
Only in settled weather. The river inside the cave rises fast in heavy rain, and the crossing is canceled after rainy days.