canyon · Cambará do Sul, RS
Cânion Itaimbezinho
The main attraction of the Parque Nacional dos Aparados da Serra, with sheer walls about 700 meters deep and almost 6 km long. The Vértice and Cotovelo trails lead to the best viewpoints.
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 Cânion Itaimbezinho
Itaimbezinho is the most visited canyon in southern Brazil. It's a gash about 6 km long cut into the plateau, with basalt walls up to 720 meters high. It lies in the Parque Nacional de Aparados da Serra, created in 1959, one of the oldest in the country, right on the border between Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina. Since 2022 the region has been part of the Caminhos dos Cânions do Sul UNESCO Global Geopark.
Up top, the plateau is open grassland, and suddenly the land ends. From the rim trails you can see the cliff walls, the waterfalls that drop straight into the void and, far below, the Rio do Boi. The Vértice Trail is the shortest and leads to the first viewpoints. The Cotovelo Trail is longer, about three hours round trip, and reaches the point where the canyon bends, with the widest view.
The third trail, Rio do Boi, is a different experience: it goes inside the canyon, along the rocky riverbed, looking up at the walls from below. It can only be done with a licensed guide.
The park is run by a concessionaire, with a visitor center, snack bar and tickets at the entrance. Pets are not allowed. Fog is part of the place: it can cover the canyon in minutes and clear again shortly after.
Cambará do Sul has two national parks. Next to Aparados da Serra is the Serra Geral park, home to the Fortaleza Canyon, and the two are usually part of the same trip, on separate days.
Before you go
Practical information
How much time to set aside
Half a day for the Vértice and Cotovelo trails. The Rio do Boi trail takes the whole day.
Best time
Clear days, so you can see the bottom of the canyon. Fog tends to rise in the afternoon, so it's worth arriving early. The park is closed on Mondays, except on holidays and the day before a holiday.
How to get there
The entrance is less than 20 km from the center of Cambará do Sul, partly on a dirt road that is being paved. Go by car or on a tour: there's no public transportation. The rim trails don't require a guide; the Rio do Boi trail starts on the Santa Catarina side, in Praia Grande, and requires a licensed guide.
Tip
Bring a warm layer and a rain jacket even in summer: up on the plateau the weather changes fast. The Cotovelo Trail has an entry cutoff time in the early afternoon; check before you set out.
Official website
A look at the place
Cânion Itaimbezinho 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 Cânion Itaimbezinho
Do I need a guide for the trails?
Not on the rim trails, Vértice and Cotovelo. The Rio do Boi Trail, inside the canyon, can only be done with a licensed guide.
Is the park open on Mondays?
No, except on holidays and the day before a holiday.
How deep is the canyon?
The walls reach 720 meters high. The canyon is about 6 km long.
Can I get there by bus?
There's no public transportation to the park. Go by car or on a booked tour from Cambará do Sul.
Can I bring my dog?
No. Pets are not allowed on the park trails.