My Brazil

Southern Canyons: the Brazilian destination perfect for an extended holiday weekend

Southern Brazil holds magnificent and accessible canyons ideal for families seeking a short trip with memorable experiences

By Caroline Sundfeld

Located on the border between Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina, the Southern Canyons region offers Brazilian families the chance to discover magnificent geological formations without leaving the country. With just four days of travel, it’s possible to visit the two main canyons: Itaimbezinho and Fortaleza, while still having time for activities like waterfall hikes and authentic rural experiences.

The region houses two national parks, Aparados da Serra and Serra Geral, which protect 36 geological formations spread across more than 200 kilometers. For families accustomed to complex international destinations, the Southern Canyons surprise with their logistical simplicity: everything is about an hour’s distance from your chosen accommodation base, allowing for flexible itineraries suited to family rhythm.

Cambará do Sul: the gateway

With its 6,000 inhabitants, Cambará do Sul serves as the operational center for those visiting the region. Located 195 kilometers from Porto Alegre, the city offers sufficient infrastructure for families, with guesthouses, restaurants, and local agencies that organize guided tours.

The city maintains the charm of rural Rio Grande do Sul, with quiet streets where children can move around safely and establishments that respect family pace. For those who prefer a different base, Praia Grande in Santa Catarina also offers accommodation and is close to the trails on the lower part of the canyons. The choice between the two cities depends on the type of experience the family seeks: Cambará do Sul for those wanting to explore the panoramic views from the upper part, Praia Grande for those planning to take the internal canyon trails.

Itaimbezinho Canyon: the most famous

Itaimbezinho Canyon, located in Aparados da Serra National Park, is the region’s postcard attraction. With 700 meters of depth and vertical walls extending for kilometers, it offers views that impress both adults and children.

The park provides two main trails for families: the Vértice Trail, shorter at 1.5 kilometers, and the Cotovelo Trail, with 6 kilometers of extension. Both have easy difficulty levels and can be walked by children, elderly people, and those with mobility difficulties. The Vértice Trail is paved for most of the route and allows viewing 45% of the canyon from the beginning of the gorge, plus two waterfalls: Andorinhas and Véu de Noiva.

For more adventurous families, there’s the Rio do Boi Trail, which follows the internal part of the canyon. This trail requires mandatory accompaniment by a certified guide, with higher difficulty level, recommended for children from 12 years old with good physical condition.

Fortaleza Canyon: dramatic landscapes

Fortaleza Canyon, in Serra Geral National Park, offers a different experience from Itaimbezinho. The main trail, Mirante da Fortaleza, has medium difficulty due to some steep sections, but can be walked by children over 8 years old accompanied by parents.

The canyon impresses with its dimensions and the contrast between rocky walls and native vegetation growing on the edges. During the walk, families can spot typical regional animals, such as the graxaim (crab-eating fox) and various bird species.

One of Fortaleza’s main attractions is Tigre Preto Waterfall, accessible through a more challenging trail that requires special care with children. The experience of observing the 250-meter-high waterfall creates memorable moments for the whole family.

Planning for families

The trip to the Southern Canyons works well for children from 6 years old, an age when they can walk longer distances and appreciate natural landscapes. For families with younger children, the shorter, paved trails offer access to the main views without requiring excessive physical effort.

The region’s climate varies throughout the year. In winter (June to September), temperatures are low, but canyon visibility improves due to less fog. In summer (December to March), the climate is warmer, facilitating outdoor activities, but increases the chance of fog that can impair visibility.

To optimize the family experience, it’s recommended to divide visits to the two parks on different days. One day for Aparados da Serra (Itaimbezinho) and another for Serra Geral (Fortaleza), leaving free time for rest and complementary activities.

Complementary activities

Besides the main canyons, the region offers experiences that enrich the family trip. The Bromélias Trail combines light hiking with environmental education, allowing children to learn about native flora while exploring nature.

Additionally, smaller waterfalls scattered throughout the region offer alternatives for warmer days or when fog impairs visibility of the main canyons. These waterfalls usually have shorter trails and allow refreshing swims for children.

Regional cuisine

Local cuisine reflects Rio Grande do Sul tradition with adaptations for children’s palates. Restaurants like Bolicho Guabiroba, located in Cambará do Sul, offer a relaxed environment with space for children to play while parents enjoy regional craft beers.

The regional menu includes dishes like roasted ribs, cooked pine nuts, colonial cheeses, and homemade sweets. Many establishments adapt traditional dishes for children, offering smaller portions and less seasoned preparations.

Taberna Restaurante, in downtown Cambará do Sul, operates bistro-style and serves risottos and pastas that please both adults and children. The cozy atmosphere allows for peaceful family dinners after days of outdoor activities.

When to go?

Choosing the ideal time depends on family priorities. Winter offers greater chance of clear days and unobstructed canyon views, but requires appropriate clothing for intense cold.

Summer facilitates outdoor activities and allows waterfall swimming, but increases the possibility of fog that can completely hide canyon views. For families who travel exclusively in summer, it’s recommended to extend the stay by an extra day to have more chances of finding favorable weather conditions.

Spring and autumn offer intermediate conditions, with mild temperatures and less fog incidence than summer, making them interesting times for families flexible with travel dates.

Comparison with other national destinations

Unlike Jalapão, which requires a week of travel and complex logistics, the Southern Canyons easily fit into an extended holiday weekend. This makes the destination attractive for families seeking contact with nature without compromising much school vacation time.

The region also offers greater autonomy for families who prefer to travel independently, with clear signage, well-structured guesthouses, and the possibility of organizing tours without depending exclusively on agencies. For families who already know destinations like Bonito or Chapada Diamantina, the Southern Canyons represent a unique geological experience in the country, with formations that don’t exist elsewhere in Brazil.

The return experience

Children who visit the Southern Canyons return with an expanded understanding of Brazilian geological diversity. The experience of observing rock formations millions of years old, walking on trails where silence is broken only by nature’s sounds, and discovering hidden waterfalls creates lasting memories.

For parents, the region offers the satisfaction of showing their children that Brazil has magnificent and well-preserved landscapes. The logistical ease allows the family to focus on the experience itself, without worrying about long journeys or complex planning.

The Southern Canyons work as an introduction to nature tourism in Brazil, preparing families for future adventures in more remote destinations and demonstrating that memorable experiences can be closer than we imagine.