Easy
Caranha Trail
An easy coastal trail between Praia da Barra and Praia do Ouvidor, marked with whale footprints.
| Length | 3.2 km |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy |
| From the Residencial to the start | About 22.9 km by car |
| Best time | All year round. From July to November, the lookouts along the shore are good spots to try to see right whales. |
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Photos: Garopaba Por Aí (@garopabaporai_tv) (opens in a new tab); Claudio Seelig, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (opens in a new tab); Ctseelig, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (opens in a new tab); PREFEITURA DE GAROPABA (opens in a new tab).
The Caranha Trail links Barra Beach and Ouvidor Beach along the rocky shore, an easy and well-marked walk. It is part of the Caminhos da Baleia Franca (Right Whale Paths), and whale footprints painted on trees, rocks and posts show the way.
Along the way there are shady stretches, low vegetation and natural lookouts over the green hills and the open sea.
Route
You can start from either beach. From Praia da Barra, the signs are on the right-hand side of the beach.
The path is easy, with shaded stretches, low vegetation and natural lookouts over the rocky coast. Whale footprints painted on trees, rocks and posts show the way. Near the end, the trail goes through a small seaside wood and reaches Praia do Ouvidor.
Points of interest
- Praia da Barra: one of the starting points, with the signs on the right side of the beach.
- Natural lookouts: views over the headland, with green hills and the open sea.
- Whale footprints: the painted marks showing the way of the Caminhos da Baleia Franca.
- Praia do Ouvidor: the finish, after a small seaside grove.
What to bring
Water, sunscreen, a cap, comfortable shoes and a snack.
Safety tips
Follow the painted footprints and stay on the trail. On the rocky shore, keep away from the edge, especially when the sea is rough. Take your trash back with you.
Source: Site oficial de turismo de Garopaba (texto) e OpenStreetMap (traçado) (opens in a new tab). Information checked on 10/01/2026.
