With Over 200 Waterfalls, Natural Scenery of Serra da Canastra Attracts Tourists

08/17/2017 - 11h22

In Serra da Canastra, nature's power is as solid as the quartzite rocks in the ground, a characteristic of Pre-Cambrian period.

The region is a nursery of fountainheads. The main headwater is that of the São Francisco river, one of the most emblematic in the country and the target of devotion in the state of Minas Gerais and the Northeast region. With a watershed of 639,000 km², the river cuts through 507 cities along 2,863 kilometers in Brazil's territory.

There are more than 200 waterfalls in the Serra da Canastra and Serra das Sete Voltas, a region between the savannah and Mata Atlântica biomes, where many species are found, such as the giant armadillo, the mallard duck, the puma, the cock-tailed Tyrant, the giant anteater, the maned wolf, the rhea and the pampas deer. They are all endangered species.

The most visited attraction in Serra da Canastra is the Casca D'Anta. This waterfall is 186 meters high and located in the heart of the mountain chain. Canyons, valleys and abundant water comprise an ideal environment for ecotourism.

The fully protected area of the Serra da Canastra National Park has 38 species of mammals and 354 types of birds. Tourists can go birdwatching and practice mountain biking, bike tourism and trekking.

The park has 200,000 hectares and four entrances. The main access is in the city of São Roque de Minas, a widely sought after destination due to its proximity to the sights.

These include the higher parts of Casca D'Anta and the Rolinhos waterfall, as well as the fountainhead of the São Fransisco river (popularly known as Velho Chico) and Garagem de Pedras.

Translated by THOMAS MUELLO

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	Fellipe Abreu/Folhapress
	The fully protected area of the Serra da Canastra National Park has 38 species of mammals and 354 types of birds