Furna Feia National Park

About this place

Furna Feia National Park is the first national park in Rio Grande do Norte, created on 5 June 2012, World Environment Day, in the semi-arid caatinga. It covers 8,518 hectares between Baraúna and Mossoró and is run by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation. Its creation was long held up by opposition from companies mining limestone for cement, and about seven hundred hectares of the planned area were given up as a compromise. The park holds the largest cave complex in the state, with more than two hundred known caves, the longest running 766 metres, and is home to endangered plants and animals. The park has opened to visitors, its highlight being the Furna Nova cave, fitted with walkways, handrails and stairs. Visits are led by accredited guides trained in cave safety and arranged in advance, Tuesday to Sunday. Contact the park office in Mossoró before going.