Sunset route

The most famous lookout in the Chapada dos Veadeiros: a natural stone 'window' framing the Saltos do Rio Preto (120 m and 80 m falls) inside the National Park. It sits outside the PNCV gate, on privately managed land, with a ~8 km (round-trip) trail from free parking ~5 km from the village of São Jorge. Halfway along is the Cachoeira do Abismo, which only has a waterfall in the rainy season (October to early April). Paid entry at the gate (cash or Pix); sunset and sunrise only with an accredited guide.

O morro em formato de baleia é um dos cartões-postais da GO-239 entre Alto Paraíso e São Jorge, vizinho do Jardim de Maytrea. O cume, a ~1.500 m, abre vista 360° para o Maytrea, as Sete Lagoas e Alto Paraíso. A subida é íngreme e pedregosa (~4 km ida e volta pela rota do Camping do Waldomiro; até ~7 km no circuito completo) por fazendas particulares, com cobrança na porteira e trilha sem sinalização — vá com guia. Na época de chuvas o circuito rende o bônus do mirante da Cachoeira da Bailarina, queda sazonal de ~100 m tipo véu-de-noiva na encosta do morro.

An open cerrado plain dotted with buriti palms, with the Morro da Baleia in the background. A must-stop in late afternoon, right off the GO-239.

Right near Alto Paraíso, with a fall and a crystal-clear pool. A short trail and a late-afternoon mood — good for sunset.

A waterfall on the Rio São Bartolomeu (a tributary of the Rio das Almas), also called Cachoeira São Bartolomeu, in the RPPN Vale das Araras — a few kilometers from Cavalcante, in the Chapada's buffer zone. A low, wide fall (~5–6 m) that forms a natural hydro-massage, with several crystal-clear pools for swimming — great for families and for late afternoon. The trail, easy and well signposted, crosses preserved cerrado and passes the old stone channels from the gold-cycle era, cut over 200 years ago (the Trilha do Ouro, or Gold Trail). Operated by Pousada Vale das Araras (not to be confused with the neighboring Reserva Renascer).

Famous for its infinity pool at the edge of the cliff, with a wide-open view over the plateau. The trail runs through cerrado and rock slabs.

A seasonal fall with a natural pool on the edge of a chasm, halfway along the Mirante da Janela trail — same gate and same ticket as the lookout, on privately managed land next to the National Park. There is only a waterfall in the rainy season (October to early April); the water drops tens of meters into the Rio Preto valley.

A stretch of river with a sandy beach and shallow water, no strenuous trail. A place to relax, bring the family, and watch the sun go down.