Atlantic forest
A large unbroken block.
Paulo Marcelo Adamek — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Paulo Marcelo Adamek — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Liu Idárraga Orozco — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Liu Idárraga Orozco — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Gabriela Voss — CC BY-SA 4.0
Serra do Itajaí National Park protects about 57,000 hectares of Atlantic forest in the hills of the Itajaí valley. It was created on 4 June 2004, with its boundaries adjusted in 2006, and spans nine Santa Catarina municipalities, among them Blumenau, Gaspar, Indaial, Botuverá, Ascurra and Apiúna. It is one of the largest continuous blocks of Atlantic forest left in southern Brazil. Dense forest covers ridges and valleys threaded with clear streams and waterfalls, home to protected species such as the cougar, the margay, the vinaceous-breasted amazon, the white-necked hawk and the white-bearded antshrike. It is also a natural water store for the Itajaí valley, home to the towns of German immigration. The park has entrances and trails on the side of Blumenau and the valley towns, and some of its summits and waterfalls are reached on hiking trails; go with a local guide and check which trails are open with the park administration. Autumn and spring, when the weather is mild, are the best seasons.
A large unbroken block.
Clear water.
Vinaceous-breasted amazon.
Blumenau, Gaspar, Indaial, Botuverá and other towns, Santa Catarina
Through entrances and trails on the side of Blumenau and the Itajaí valley towns; a local guide is advised.