Every range has its perfect frame — in Gonçalves it is made of stone: Pedra do Forno, a hollow carved into the rock high on the mountain that works as a natural window onto the Mantiqueira’s sea of hills. Sitting inside the “oven” with your legs over the valley is THE photograph of the trip — and the trail up is the ideal warm-up.
The trail
Access starts from the Costas district, on a medium-grade trail: 40-60 minutes of climbing through forest and high-altitude grassland, with steep sections that ask for breath (and repay it with growing views). At the top, besides the Forno, panoramic slabs serve as grandstand seating for the whole Mantiqueira — on clear days the horizon seems endless. Local guides enrich the outing with stories and shortcuts to neighboring waterfalls.
Tips
- Go early in the morning: soft light, mist in the valley and a cool trail.
- Shoes with grip — the slabs at the top get slippery in the damp.
- Take water and a jacket: the wind up top is icy even in summer.
- When taking the photo inside the Forno, mind getting in and out of the hollow; the step is deceptive.
- Combine it with Cachoeira das Bromélias on the same day — a perfect pairing.
🥾 Who is it for?
Effort: moderate — a continuous climb of up to an hour, with no technical sections. Children: from ages 8-10 with walking experience. Seniors and reduced mobility: the steep trail is not suitable for anyone who walks with difficulty — the Mirante do Cruzeiro, reached by car, delivers a similar panorama with no effort; active walkers aged 60+ go up comfortably at their own pace.