viewpoint / rock formation · Chapada dos Guimarães, MT
Cidade de Pedra
A group of sandstone towers and blocks carved by the wind above a deep valley. Sunset there paints the rocks a vivid orange.
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 Cidade de Pedra
Cidade de Pedra is one of the best-known natural viewpoints in the Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Guimarães, in Mato Grosso. The name comes from the rock formations carved by erosion over thousands of years, which look like the ruins of a city on the edge of the Chapada cliffs.
From the cliff edge, the view reaches the Rio Claro valley and the surrounding hills, with a drop of about 350 meters, according to ICMBio (Brazil's federal parks agency). Down below you can see the veredas (palm-lined wetlands) and the cerrado (Brazilian savanna), and red-and-green macaws often fly along the escarpments.
Visits are made with a registered guide and advance booking, because access to the site is controlled by the park. The route there is long, on a dirt road with sandy stretches, and is usually done in a 4x4 vehicle, normally the tour's own.
Once there, the walk to the viewpoints is short, about half a kilometer, with no big climbs. The outing is more about taking in the view than exercise and suits most people, but the sun and heat are strong, and much of the path has no shade.
Before you go
Practical information
How much time to set aside
About half a day, counting the drive on the dirt road and the time at the viewpoints.
Best time
In the dry season the dirt road is usually in better condition and the sky clearer; on rainy days the visit may be suspended. In the morning it is cooler.
How to get there
It is inside the Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Guimarães. From the town of Chapada dos Guimarães, take the MT-251 toward Cuiabá and then more than 20 km of dirt road (MT-020). Access is with a registered guide, usually on an agency tour in a 4x4 vehicle.
Tip
Book the tour in advance with a registered guide or agency and bring water, sunscreen and a hat. Keep your distance from the edge of the cliffs, where there is not always a railing.
Official website
A look at the place
Cidade de Pedra 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 Cidade de Pedra
Do I need a guide to visit Cidade de Pedra?
Yes. Visits are made with a registered guide and advance booking, because access is controlled by the park.
Can I get there in a regular car?
It is not recommended. The route has more than 20 km of sandy dirt road, and ICMBio (Brazil's federal parks agency) advises a 4x4 vehicle.
Is the trail hard?
No. The walk to the viewpoints is short, about half a kilometer, with no big climbs, but the sun is strong.
How long does the visit take?
About half a day, counting the dirt road and the time at the viewpoints.
What can you see at Cidade de Pedra?
Rock formations on the edge of the cliffs and the view of the Rio Claro valley, with a drop of about 350 meters, plus red-and-green macaws.