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Before you go
Your trip to Lavras Novas.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Lavras Novas – MG Destination Historic Towns of Minas Gerais (Estrada Real) about 117 km from Belo Horizonte
How to get there
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Aeroporto Internacional de Belo Horizonte-Confins (CNF) Confins · 150 km
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Rodoviária de Ouro Preto Ouro Preto · 18 km
Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.
From Ouro Preto, follow the road that goes through Saramenha and around Parque Estadual do Itacolomi; it’s about 17 km. From Belo Horizonte, take BR-040 and BR-356 to Ouro Preto and continue to the village, a total of about 117 km. There are buses from Belo Horizonte to Ouro Preto and a local line from Ouro Preto to Lavras Novas, with limited schedules.
How many days
A weekend is enough for the village, the church and two or three waterfalls. Many people combine Lavras Novas with Ouro Preto: two days in the historic seat and one or two nights in the village.
When to go
From April to September there is little rain and the trails stay firm; nights in June and July are cold, with morning fog. From November to March the waterfalls usually have more water, but it rains almost every afternoon. Long holiday weekends fill the village.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
Note. The bus line from Ouro Preto has few departures, and several waterfalls are a few kilometers along dirt roads, some on private land. In the village everything is done on foot. For less marked trails, it’s worth hiring a local guide.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Lavras Novas
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Morning
Cachoeira dos Três Pingos
Leave the village along the dirt road toward Cachoeira dos Três Pingos, about 4 km away, and spend the morning at the shallow pools beneath the three falls.
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Afternoon
Church square
Have a lunch of comida mineira in the village and climb up to the square of the Igreja de Nossa Senhora dos Prazeres, with the stone cross (cruzeiro) in front.
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Late afternoon
Mirante da Pedra
Walk to the Mirante da Pedra at the end of the church street, from where you can see the series of mountain ranges that surround the district.
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Evening
Evening in the village
Dine at one of the small restaurants in the center. Nights tend to be cool year‑round; bring warm clothing.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
Lavras Novas belongs to which city?
Lavras Novas is a district of Ouro Preto, in Minas Gerais. It is about 17 km from the municipal seat, up on the highlands, on the far side of Parque Estadual do Itacolomi.
What is the distance from Belo Horizonte to Lavras Novas?
About 117 km, via BR-040 and BR-356 to Ouro Preto, plus the roughly 17 km stretch to the village. The trip takes around two hours.
Is Lavras Novas cold?
The village sits high on the highlands, above 1,200 meters, and nights are usually cool at any time of year, even colder from May to August. Bring warm clothing even in summer.
Can you get to Lavras Novas by bus?
Yes. First go to Ouro Preto, which has buses from Belo Horizonte, and from there take the local line to Lavras Novas, which has limited departures. Check schedules before you travel.
Which waterfalls are in Lavras Novas?
Among the most visited are dos Três Pingos, dos Namorados, do Falcão and dos Pocinhos, the closest to the village. Several are on private land and some require a guided trail.