Mirante trail
The whole canyon.
MTur Destinos — Public domain · Guilherme Nunes Serafina — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Paula Aina Bueno — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Jjunoo — CC BY-SA 4.0
Fortaleza Canyon is a huge gorge in Serra Geral National Park, about 23 km from the town of Cambará do Sul in the mountains of southern Brazil. It runs about 7.5 km long and 2 km wide, and its basalt walls drop hundreds of metres. The easiest and most visited trail, the Trilha do Mirante, climbs about 1.7 km to a summit overlooking the whole canyon in around an hour, and the Pedra do Segredo, a balanced rock on the edge, also takes about an hour. Longer routes are Borda Sul and Alto do Mirante, about three hours each, and Quebra da Cangalha, about four. A guide is suggested but not compulsory, and pets are not allowed. Tickets are R$97 (R$68 over 60, free up to 5) and give three entries within seven days to Fortaleza and Itaimbezinho canyons together, plus a parking fee each time. It opens 8:00-17:00, and the view depends on clear skies, so check the weather and start early.
The whole canyon.
A rock on the rim.
Up to four hours.
Serra Geral National Park, about 23 km from central Cambará do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul
Yes, the R$97 ticket gives three entries within seven days to both canyons, with parking paid separately each time.