Pedra Furada
A 30 m opening.
AlexandreMachado — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Anelize Draeger — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Otávio Nogueira from Fortaleza, BR — CC BY 2.0 · Rodrigo Pelin — CC BY-SA 3.0
Morro da Igreja is a peak in Urubici rising to 1,822 metres, the highest inhabited point in Santa Catarina, as the Brazilian Air Force runs a radar and radio base on top to control air traffic for the south of the country. It is considered the coldest place in Brazil, and it holds the country's lowest (unofficial) temperature: minus 17.8 °C on 29 June 1996. Visitors drive up to the summit viewpoint, which looks across to the Pedra Furada, a rock pierced by a natural opening about thirty metres wide. The trail to the rock itself needs an accredited guide, with steep, rough ground, and takes four to five hours. The visit is free but needs advance booking on the Chico Mendes Institute website; slots open exactly seven days ahead at midnight, and the permit is collected at the park headquarters in Urubici (8:00-12:00 and 14:00-16:30). Stays at the viewpoint are limited to 45 minutes per car. Skies are clearest in autumn, April to June, and the local fog called «ruço» can hide the view within minutes.
A 30 m opening.
By car.
Southern winter.
São Joaquim National Park, Urubici, Santa Catarina
On the Chico Mendes Institute website, where slots open seven days ahead at midnight; then collect the permit at the park HQ in Urubici before driving up. It is free.