While the Santa Catarina coast boils over, a valley 90 km from Florianópolis keeps to the rhythm of its springs: Anitápolis, 3,000 residents among the mountains of the Serra Geral, has become the refuge of anyone after a waterfall without the crowd, a trail without the line and a weekend that smells of forest and colonial bread.
What to do
- Cachoeira da Usina — the postcard: the ruins of an old little hydroelectric plant frame natural pools with a picnic area and barbecue grills (easy access, a whole day guaranteed).
- Cachoeira Medeiros — the shot of adrenaline, with rappelling down the fall for the adventurous (local operators).
- Mirante do Rio do Ouro — 5 km from the center, the panorama of the Serra Geral that explains the whole valley.
- Trails and springs — the region is a nursery of water; rural guesthouses map out paths through forest and rock faces.
- Feira de Anita — Saturday in the square: colonial produce, live music and the whole village greeting itself.
Lodging with a view
From camping to a luxury cabin with a bathtub and a glass wall facing the forest (the new “mountain glamping” scene flowered here), Anitápolis has become a recharging destination: no insistent signal, a starry sky and colonial farm coffee. Book ahead on public holidays — the secret is leaking out.
When to go
Summer for the plunge pools; fall-winter for trails, scenic mists and the wood-fired stove. At 2 hours from the state capital it even works as a day trip — but the valley rewards those who sleep over.
🥾 Who is it for?
Effort: easy at the Usina and the lookout; moderate on the trails; the rappel is the intense option. Children: the Usina with its shallow pools and lawns is a complete family day out (all ages). Older visitors and people with reduced mobility: a generous destination — the Usina with close access, a flat market and welcoming guesthouses; talk to the cabins about access (some have steep internal trails).