Everyone goes to Capitólio for the lake — and the clever ones stay an extra day for the dry-land waterfalls: complexes of golden pools carved into the quartzite of the Serra da Canastra (the arm that embraces the region), perfect for the day after the boat tour.
Trilha do Sol
The most complete complex (about R$ 40): a self-guided circuit of 2-3 hours passing Cachoeira do Grito, pools with golden beds such as the Poço Dourado and viewpoints over the valley. There are facilities with a rural restaurant at the end — the post-trail chicken with okra is a tradition.
Paraíso Perdido
The name does not exaggerate: 8 waterfalls and 18 pools linked together in a closed valley (about R$ 40). The natural water slides and pressure showers delight the young; the shallow pools at the entrance welcome the rest of the family. Go early — the parking lot fills up on public holidays.
The free ones by the roadside
The Cascatinha (also seen from the lake) and the Diquadinha trickle beside the MG-050 with free access — compulsory 20-minute stops between one point of the itinerary and the next. Late in the afternoon, follow on to the Mirante dos Cânions to close the day with an aerial view.
Tips
- Recent rain? Do not go into the canyon pools — flash floods are a real risk in the region.
- Sneakers with grip: the golden slabs are slippery when wet.
- Cash for the entrance fees — the card signal wavers in the countryside.
- Weekday > weekend: the complexes are almost private.
🥾 Who is it for?
Effort: moderate — circuits of 2-3 hours with short climbs and rock crossings. Children: from ages 5-6 in the pools at the entrance; full circuits from 8. Older travelers and reduced mobility: Cascatinha and Diquadinha (roadside) + Mirante dos Cânions make the perfect accessible itinerary; the paid complexes demand a firm step — ask at the ticket office about the pools closest to the entrance.
