Serra da Mantiqueira

Featured Lists

ALEXANDRE VALERIO MUSSIO / CC BY-SA 4.0

Serra da Mantiqueira Environmental Protection Area: The Absolute Essentials

The Serra da Mantiqueira Environmental Protection Area preserves a significant portion of the Atlantic Forest across São Paulo, Minas Gerais, and Rio de Janeiro. This selection highlights high-altitude landmarks like Pico do Itapeva, which reaches 2,030 meters, and Pico dos Três Estados, where three state borders meet. The region features diverse botanical collections at Amantikir Park, panoramic viewpoints over the Paraíba Valley, and an extensive network of waterfalls and natural pools including the Alcantilado circuit.

13 places

Joel De Oliveira Arruda / CC-BY-SA

Majestic Waterfalls

The Serra da Mantiqueira mountain range spans the borders of Minas Gerais, São Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro, housing some of Brazil’s highest peaks and most significant watersheds. This collection features prominent falls like the 30-meter Cachoeira dos Garcia in Aiuruoca and the multi-tiered Alcantilado circuit near Visconde de Mauá. These sites are characterized by cold, high-altitude streams, crystalline pools, and trails through Atlantic Forest and Araucaria moist forests.

12 places

Jaime Vieira / CC-BY-SA

Majestic Mountain Views

The Serra da Mantiqueira range spans the states of São Paulo, Minas Gerais, and Rio de Janeiro, with elevations exceeding 2,000 meters. This selection features prominent summits like Pico do Itapeva and Pico dos Três Estados, the geographical meeting point of three state borders. The list includes historical sites such as the Garganta do Embaú mountain pass, a strategic route during the 1932 Constitutionalist Revolution, and viewpoints overlooking the Paraíba Valley and the high-altitude landscape of Campos do Jordão.

7 places

Notable Catholic Churches

The Serra da Mantiqueira region preserves a deep religious heritage through its network of Roman Catholic landmarks. This selection ranges from the grand Santuário Basílica in Liberdade, a major pilgrimage site housing an 18th-century wooden carving, to the secluded Benedictine Mosteiro de Serra Clara in Delfim Moreira. These sites showcase traditional Brazilian ecclesiastical architecture and serve as the primary cultural and historical focal points for the mountain towns of Minas Gerais.

10 places

Fernando Curcio / CC-BY-SA

Beautiful Parks and Gardens

This collection features diverse green spaces across the Serra da Mantiqueira region. Amantikir Park offers over 20 themed gardens, including a grass labyrinth and a treehouse. Ducha de Prata provides a series of man-made waterfalls accessible via wooden walkways, while local squares like Praça do Campinho and Praça Cica serve as community gathering points. These locations highlight the region's botanical variety and provide accessible outdoor areas for walking and relaxation amidst the mountain landscape.

5 places

Serra da Mantiqueira — Map

Climate & when to visit

Best time to visit: May, June, July, August, September

Practical information

Tours & Activities