Moderate
Pedra Branca Trail
A climb through the forest between Serraria and Encantada, past Encantada Waterfall, to the top of Pedra Branca, with views of Garopaba Lagoon and the sea.
| Length | 1.1 km |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| From the Residencial to the start | About 24.3 km by car |
| Best time | Start in the morning on a clear day to enjoy the view and avoid the strong sun on the last stretch. After rain, the waterfall is fuller and the trail slippery. |
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Photos: Garopaba Por Aí (@garopabaporai_tv) (opens in a new tab); Antônio João, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (opens in a new tab); PREFEITURA DE GAROPABA (opens in a new tab).
Pedra Branca is a pale rock face high on the hill between the Serraria and Encantada communities, visible from many parts of Garopaba. The trail climbs through the forest, passes Encantada Waterfall early on and ends at the top, 273 m up, on a natural lookout with one of the finest views in the region: the whole of Garopaba Lagoon, Encantada, Ferrugem, Barra and the sea.
Encantada Waterfall runs down the rocks into a pool of clean, cold water where many people stop for a swim. The community draws its water from it.
Route
From downtown Garopaba, drive about 7 km on the SC-434 toward Imbituba and turn right onto the Encantada and Serraria dirt road, which has signs for the Pedra Branca Trail. You can leave the car in the community church yard or drive a bit further to the post with the Pedra Branca sign, where the walk begins. Early on the trail passes Encantada Waterfall; then it climbs through the forest, with a steep, unshaded final stretch, to the top. It is about 1.1 km uphill, from roughly 52 m to 273 m: 30 minutes to an hour up, depending on your pace, and about 40 minutes down. Counting stops at the waterfall and the top, allow 2 to 3 hours round trip.
Points of interest
- Cachoeira da Encantada: right at the start, with a clear pool.
- Native forest: the climb through the forest, with a steep, shadeless final stretch.
- Top of Pedra Branca: a lookout at 273 m, also used for climbing and rappelling.
- Garopaba Lagoon: seen whole from the top, with Encantada, Ferrugem, Barra and the sea.
What to bring
Water, snacks, sunscreen, light comfortable clothes (no jeans), shoes with good grip and swimwear for the waterfall.
Safety tips
The climb is steep, especially at the end: stop to rest and drink. At the top, stay away from the edge of the rock. Climbing and rappelling only with a guide. Respect the community and the properties along the way.
Source: OpenStreetMap (traçado), Viagens e Caminhos e Café Viagem (opens in a new tab).
