São Paulo · Brazil
In the destination Serra da Mantiqueira.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
The city
São Bento do Sapucaí has rural landscapes dominated by the Pedra do Baú rock formations. A trip here combines hiking, climbing and contact with local Mantiqueira produce and crafts.
5 places to stay in São Bento do Sapucaí.
3 places picked to eat.
What to know before you go.
The local experience
A gneiss formation in the Serra da Mantiqueira at about 1,950 meters above sea level, protected by the Monumento Natural Estadual da Pedra do Baú. The climb to the top is by a via ferrata with hundreds of iron rungs set into the vertical rock.
At about 1,760 meters above sea level, it is the most accessible formation in the complex, reached by a short, easy trail. From the top you get a head-on view of the Pedra do Baú and the valley.
The third formation in the Pedra do Baú complex, it is reached by a trail of about 4 km with stretches of ladder rungs fixed into the rock. From the top you see the Pedra do Baú from the opposite angle to Bauzinho, with the Serra da Mantiqueira all around.
Built in rammed earth around 1853, it gained its central tower in 1906 and the side towers in 1916, and was listed by Condephaat (São Paulo's state heritage agency) in 2015. It stands at the top of the main square in the historic center, surrounded by old houses.
Discover Igreja Matriz de São Bento
It is on private property in the Paiol Grande area, on the Bauzinho road, with an entrance fee and an easy trail suitable for families. From there you can follow the trail up to Bauzinho, passing other waterfalls and viewpoints.
