Pedra Furada
A pierced rock arch.
Catarina Saito — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Raphael Ribeiro Silva — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Camila Adriana de Oliveira — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Raphael Sombrio — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Nilton Röhricht Junior — CC BY-SA 4.0
São Joaquim National Park was created on 6 July 1961 to protect exceptional forests of Paraná pine, the araucaria, in the mountains of Santa Catarina, and covers about 48,000 hectares in Urubici, Orleans, Grão Pará and Bom Jardim da Serra. Its terrain is extremely rugged, with canyons, large caves and forest-clad slopes, rising from about 300 to 1,826 metres, and some of the state's main rivers rise here. This is one of Brazil's coldest regions, averaging around 12 °C, with frost in winter and occasional snow, which draws Brazilian families to see a rare sight in a tropical country. Its landmarks include Morro da Igreja, one of the highest points in southern Brazil, from which you see the «Pedra Furada», a rock arch pierced through the cliff, and the Espraiado canyon with its waterfalls. Visitors base themselves in Urubici, and going up Morro da Igreja requires registering in advance with the park, because of military installations on the summit. Go early before cloud covers the view, and bring very warm clothes.
A pierced rock arch.
And sometimes snow.
Falls and cliffs.
Urubici, Orleans, Grão Pará and Bom Jardim da Serra, Santa Catarina
Occasionally in winter; it is one of Brazil's coldest regions, and frost is common.