From the sand, Guarda do Embaú is already beautiful; from Pedra do Urubu, it becomes a painting: the 130-meter lookout shows the Rio da Madre winding to the sea, the beach in a perfect curve and the Serra do Tabuleiro closing the horizon — the photo-synthesis of the Santa Catarina coast.
The Pedra do Urubu trail
Short and direct: ~500 m of climbing through the forest from the village bank (15-25 min), with root handrails and the prize at the top — wide rock slabs for sitting, contemplating and timing the surfers below. Go early or late in the afternoon: the midday sun turns the climb into a sauna. Short moderate effort; manageable vertigo on the slabs (no railings — respect the edges).
Prainha and Praia Solta
On the south side, after the crossing, trails of 1-2 km over the headland lead to Prainha (a cove of rocks and crystalline sea) and to the almost secret Praia Solta. Alternating rock and forest floors, generous shade and a double reward: swimming + solitude. On the way back, a dip in the Rio da Madre is the official “shower”.
For the strong: toward the wild south
The coast stays deserted all the way to Praia do Ouvidor and Gamboa on longer traverses (4-8 km) through Serra do Tabuleiro State Park — the largest in Santa Catarina, guardian of everything green in this scenery. Bring water, leave early and tell your guesthouse: the stretch is beautiful and solitary in equal measure.
🥾 Who is it for?
Effort: short moderate on Pedra do Urubu; light on the hidden beaches; moderate-long on the southern traverses. Children: Urubu from age 6-7 (hold hands at the top!); Prainha for all ages with steady footing. Seniors and people with reduced mobility: the trails have roots and rock — for slow walkers, Prainha is the most viable; the Urubu view, unfortunately, is on foot only. The river bank remains Guarda’s democratic box seat.