Salto do Pântano Waterfall, Descalvado

About this place

Salto do Pântano is a waterfall in the municipality of Descalvado, São Paulo, regarded as the town's main tourist sight. It lies about seven kilometres from the town centre and drops forty-two metres on the Pântano stream. The falls are tied to the town's history in the days of coffee and tobacco: at the turn of the twentieth century a railway branch linked central Descalvado with stations at Salto do Pântano and on a nearby farm, from which coffee was shipped to the town station. The falls were once known by another name before settling on today's. Easy access has made the site popular for visits and adventure sports such as abseiling and tree-top circuits, though reaching the falls means crossing a trail of moderate difficulty. Local observers note a lack of infrastructure and planning that threatens both the site's conservation and visitors' safety, so take care and go with someone who knows the way.