Monte Negro
1,403 metres.
Mauricio Thomsen — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Mauricio Thomsen — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Alessandrocbs — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Alessandrocbs — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Paulo Hopper — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Alessandrocbs — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Alessandrocbs — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Gilberto Romeu Winter — CC BY-SA 4.0
São José dos Ausentes is a small town of about 3,500 people on the plateau of north-east Rio Grande do Sul, at an average altitude of 1,200 metres, which makes it one of Brazil's coldest towns, with snow and frost on some winter days. Its land holds the 1,403-metre Pico do Monte Negro, the highest point in Rio Grande do Sul, looking over the rims of the Atlantic escarpment canyons and wide upland grasslands. It was a district called Ausentes under Bom Jesus until it became a municipality in 1992. Visitors come for its plateau scenery, waterfalls, clear rivers and farms offering country stays and a taste of cattle-ranching life. Roads to most sites are dirt, and fog and cold can be severe, so come prepared.
1,403 metres.
On some winter days.
And canyons.
São José dos Ausentes, north-east highlands of Rio Grande do Sul state
Pico do Monte Negro in this municipality, at 1,403 metres.