Cachoeira

Sertão Zen — Cachoeira e Mirante

Verified

A classic wild trek out of Alto Paraíso, beyond the National Park gates: after climbing the steep Serra da Baliza, the trail crosses rocky highland fields that look like a Japanese zen garden to the lookout over the Cachoeira do Sertão Zen, a drop of about 150 m into the Rio Macaco valley. On the way is the Banho Inca, a small cascade with a dark-water pool to cool off in. Dense brush, no cell signal, and a faintly marked trail — go with a guide.

150 m

Drop

18 km

Trail (round trip)

Hard

Difficulty

Free

Entry

Before you go

Best in the dry season (May to September). In the rains the rocky stretches get slippery and dangerous; the trail is very exposed to the sun.

How to get there

Dirt roadA regular car manages with care.

From Alto Paraíso10 km
From Teresina de Goiás77 km
From São João d'Aliança79 km

Google Maps Waze

The trail

18 km

Distance

7.5 h

Time

Hard

Level

About 9 km to the lookout (18 km round trip), 6 to 9 hours. It begins with a hard climb up the Serra da Baliza (~1 km, ~300 m elevation gain); after that the trail gets faint over rocky terrain. No cell signal. Bring at least 1.5 L of water per person, good boots, and sun protection.

The water & the river

Tea-colouredClarity 3/5Medium flow

River: Rio Macaco

Ratings

Beleza

Trilha

Lotação

Acesso

Scored 1 to 5. Beauty is subjective — so we split it into axes, letting you sort by what matters to you.

Planning your visit

Sertão Zen — Cachoeira e Mirante is about 10 km by road from Alto Paraíso; access is by a well-kept dirt road; the trail is 18 km round trip, hard level, around 7.5 h.

Entry is free.

Do I need a guide?: No — open access, no guide required.
How much is entry?: Entry is free.
Can I go in a regular car?: Yes, with care — well-kept dirt road.
When to go?: Best in the dry season (May to September). In the rains the rocky stretches get slippery and dangerous; the trail is very exposed to the sun.