Waterfalls
Iron-red water.
Ana Raquel S. Hernandes from Sao Paulo, Brazil — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Ana Raquel S. Hernandes from Sao Paulo, Brazil — CC BY-SA 2.0 · TMbux — CC BY-SA 3.0 · TMbux — CC BY-SA 3.0 · TMbux — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Ana Raquel S. Hernandes from Sao Paulo, Brazil — CC BY-SA 2.0 · JJacovazzoNeto — CC BY-SA 4.0
The Serra do Caraça is part of the Espinhaço range in the municipalities of Catas Altas and Santa Bárbara in Minas Gerais, named after a stretch of ridge said to look like the face of a sleeping giant. The mountains form a wide natural amphitheatre four kilometres across, ringed by peaks such as Morro da Trindade. At its heart is a historic complex around which the Colégio Caraça, a famous boarding school where many leading figures of Brazilian history studied, grew in the nineteenth century; the whole area is now a private nature reserve known as the Caraça Natural Park. Waterfalls such as Cascatinha, Cascatona and Bocaina tumble from the hills in iron-rich, reddish water, and woods surround the Tanque Grande and Tanque São Luís lakes. The place is known for sightings of the maned wolf, which approaches the complex at night. Entry is paid, and an on-site inn lets you stay the night.
Iron-red water.
Night visits.
Forest lake.
Catas Altas and Santa Bárbara, Minas Gerais
They sometimes approach the complex at night, so staying over improves your chances.