viewpoint / swimming spot · Chapada dos Guimarães, MT
Vale do Rio Claro
Viewpoints overlooking the Rio Claro valley, with a hike and a swim in the river. It makes for a full day out.
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 Vale do Rio Claro
The Vale do Rio Claro (valley) is inside the Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Guimarães, on the stretch where the sandstone cliffs open into a wide cerrado (Brazilian savanna) valley crossed by a river of very clear water. The tour combines a hike, a viewpoint and a river swim, and usually takes the whole day.
The highlight of the trail is the Crista de Galo (Rooster's Crest), a rock formation in the middle of the valley, carved by erosion over thousands of years. The climb to the top is short and steep. From up there, the view opens all around to the cliffs of the plateau and the whole valley.
Then come the pools of the Rio Claro, such as Poço da Anta and Poço Verde. The water is so clear that you can float with a mask and snorkel and see the fish on the bottom, as in an aquarium. On one stretch, the float follows the river's current for quite a while.
Visits are only made with an accredited tour guide. The hike has stretches of soft sand and requires moderate fitness; the final access is by dirt road, and with a regular car the walking stretch is longer. It is not a suitable outing for people with limited mobility.
Before you go
Practical information
How much time to set aside
Set aside the whole day: the tour usually leaves early in the morning and returns in the late afternoon.
Best time
In the dry season, from May to September, the trail is firmer and the river water clearer; set out early to hike before the strong sun.
How to get there
It is in the Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Guimarães, reached via the MT-251 highway (Rodovia Emanuel Pinheiro) and then a dirt road to the trailhead. Visits are guided, with guides hired through agencies in the town of Chapada dos Guimarães.
Tip
Bring a mask and snorkel (or check whether the agency provides them), sunscreen, a hat, snacks and plenty of water; wear closed shoes for the sandy trail and swimwear underneath.
Official website
A look at the place
Vale do Rio Claro 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 Vale do Rio Claro
Do I need a guide to visit the Vale do Rio Claro?
Yes. Visits are only made with an accredited tour guide, hired through agencies in Chapada dos Guimarães.
How long does the visit take?
Almost the whole day, counting the drive, the hike, the climb up the Crista de Galo and time at the pools.
Is the trail hard?
It is moderate. Most of it is easy, but there are stretches of soft sand and the short, steep climb up the Crista de Galo.
Can you swim in the Vale do Rio Claro?
Yes. In the pools, such as Poço da Anta and Poço Verde, you can float with a mask and snorkel in the clear water and see the fish.
Can I get there in a regular car?
Yes, but you park farther away and the walk gets longer. With a 4x4 vehicle the stretch on foot is shorter.