waterfall · Urubici, SC
Cascata do Avencal
A drop of about 100 meters with platforms on both sides, including a glass-floored viewpoint over the abyss. If you have the stamina, you can hike down the trail to the base, inside the forest.
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 Cascata do Avencal
Cascata do Avencal (waterfall) is one of the best-known waterfalls in Urubici, in the Serra Catarinense. The Rio do Funil plunges about 100 meters in a single drop, down an amphitheater-shaped rock wall surrounded by forest.
The name comes from the avenca (maidenhair fern), a plant like a small fern that grows on the damp rock face. The top of the waterfall is inside a private park, with an entrance fee, a restaurant and restrooms.
There are several viewpoints up top. One has a glass floor and juts out over the abyss, beside the falls. Others are on the opposite side and in the forest, where you see the waterfall almost head-on. The park also has a zip line and other adventure activities, charged separately.
The upper viewpoints are close to the parking lot and take little effort, which makes the outing good for families. If you want to see the waterfall from below, you can hike to the base on a forest trail of moderate difficulty.
Before you go
Practical information
How much time to set aside
1 to 2 hours for the upper viewpoints; allow half a day if you also want to go to the base.
Best time
After a few days of rain the falls are fuller; go on clear mornings, before the mountain fog closes in.
How to get there
It is about 8 km from downtown Urubici, on the SC-416 toward São Joaquim, with a short, signposted final stretch of dirt road. There is no public transportation; go by car or with a local agency.
Tip
Bring a warm layer even in summer, because it is very windy at the cliff edge, and check the park's hours on its website or social media before you go.
A look at the place
Cascata do Avencal 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 Cascata do Avencal
Is there an entrance fee at Cascata do Avencal?
Yes. The upper viewpoints are in a private park with an entrance fee; the zip line and other activities are charged separately.
How tall is Cascata do Avencal?
The waterfall is about 100 meters high, in a single drop.
Is there a glass viewpoint at Cascata do Avencal?
Yes. One of the park's viewpoints has a glass floor and juts out over the cliff, beside the waterfall.
Can you hike to the base of the waterfall?
Yes, on a forest trail of moderate difficulty. Ask at the park about access before you go.
How long does the visit take?
1 to 2 hours for the upper viewpoints; longer if you also go down to the base.