Seeing the Itaimbezinho from above is grand; walking along its FLOOR is another category of experience. The Trilha do Rio do Boi enters along the bed of the river that carved the canyon and runs between 700-meter walls — a sliver of sky far above and the world reduced to rock, water and silence.
How it works
The trail starts from Praia Grande, in Santa Catarina, at the foot of the range: around 14 km there and back (5-7 hours) with an accredited guide compulsory — an official park requirement (rules on the concessionaire’s site; local agencies, ~R$ 150-250 with equipment; checked in August 2026). The route alternates forest, tumbled boulders and dozens of river crossings — water at your shins, at your knees and, in the final pools, at your waist. The turnaround point, deep inside the canyon with the walls closing in, is one of those places that silences any group.
Safety first
The Rio do Boi has a golden rule: rain at the headwaters = trail closed. A flash flood is a real risk and the guides monitor the weather up on the plateau — never argue with a cancellation and never try to go on your own. In dry weather the trail is safe and magical; the discipline is what keeps it that way.
What to take
- Sneakers or boots that can get wet, with grippy soles (the whole day is damp rock).
- A dry bag for everything; the camera only if protected.
- 2 liters of water plus a packed lunch.
- A warm layer for the stops — the canyon floor never sees direct sun.
- Trained legs: there are no technical sections, but six hours on rock take their toll.
🥾 Who is it for?
Effort: intense — not for the climbing (there is barely any), but for the hours of unstable footing and the crossings. Children: from ages 12-14 with a real habit of hiking. Older travelers and people with reduced mobility: not recommended — constant balance on wet rock is the core of the experience; the majestic view from above, along the accessible viewpoints of the Vértice, is the alternative worthy of it. Whoever finishes joins the club of those who saw the canyon from the inside.