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Before you go
Your trip to Lapinha da Serra.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Lapinha da Serra – MG Destination Serra do Cipó about 143 km from Belo Horizonte
How to get there
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Aeroporto Internacional de Belo Horizonte-Confins (CNF) Confins · 113 km
Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.
From Belo Horizonte, follow MG-010 to Serra do Cipó, climb the range and take the access road to Santana do Riacho. From the municipal seat it's about 15 km of dirt road to the village; in total about 143 km. Confins Airport is a little over 110 km away. Public transport goes to Santana do Riacho; from there you need to arrange local transport.
How many days
Two days allow you to climb Pico da Lapinha in one day and hike to a waterfall or cross the lagoon on the other. With three days you can include Pico do Breu. Those doing the crossing to Tabuleiro need two to three days just for it.
When to go
From April to September it rains little, trails are firm and the sky usually clears more on the peaks; nights are cold. From November to March the waterfalls usually have more water, but the dirt road can become difficult with rains. In prolonged drought the lagoon level often falls.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
Practically, yes. Public transport reaches only Santana do Riacho, and the road to the village is dirt. In the village everything is done on foot, and the trails start from the streets. There is no fuel station: refuel before climbing the range. Cell signal is weak or nonexistent in a large part of the village.
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 Lapinha da Serra
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Morning
Ascent to Pico da Lapinha
Leave the village early via the trail to Pico da Lapinha, which climbs the slope right behind the houses. It's about 5 km of ascent to the summit cross.
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Afternoon
Descent and lunch
Descend slowly along the same trail, loose rock in several sections, and have lunch at one of the village restaurants.
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Late afternoon
Lagoon shore
Walk to the shore of Lagoa da Lapinha to see the range reflected in the water at the end of the day.
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Evening
Evening in the village
Dine in the village, which has few restaurants and grocery shops. Bring warm clothing: after the sun sets behind the range, the temperature falls quickly.
2 days in Lapinha da Serra
Day 1
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Morning
Pico da Lapinha
Climb Pico da Lapinha early in the morning, when the sun hasn't yet heated the exposed slope.
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Afternoon
Reservoir
After lunch, relax at the lagoon shore or paddle by kayak or stand-up paddleboard, rented in the village.
Day 2
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Morning
Cachoeira do Lajeado
Follow the trail that skirts the lagoon to Cachoeira do Lajeado, about 7 km of walking without major climbs.
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Afternoon
Rock paintings
Back in the village, arrange with a local resident the boat crossing to the archaeological site on the other side of the lagoon.
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
Lapinha da Serra is in which city?
Lapinha da Serra is a village in the municipality of Santana do Riacho, in Minas Gerais, in the Serra do Cipó region. The municipal seat is about 15 km away via dirt road. Do not confuse it with Gruta da Lapinha, which is in Lagoa Santa.
What is the distance from Belo Horizonte to Lapinha da Serra?
About 143 km, via MG-010 to Serra do Cipó and then via Santana do Riacho, with about the final 15 km on dirt road. The drive takes around two and a half hours.
Does Lapinha da Serra have cell signal and a gas station?
Cell signal is weak or nonexistent in much of the village, and many accommodations offer Wi‑Fi. There is no gas station or bank branch: refuel beforehand and bring some cash.
What is the Lapinha–Tabuleiro crossing like?
It is a hike of about 30 to 40 km, depending on the route, between Lapinha da Serra and Cachoeira do Tabuleiro in Conceição do Mato Dentro, done in two or three days, with overnight stays in local houses or camping. There is no cell signal along the route, and those unfamiliar with the trail should go with a guide.