Campos de Jordao

Latin America Brazil

Duration : 2 Days / Driving Time : 5 hours Total Distance : 359 km

The route described in this article is ideal for a short week end, close to Sao Paulo, in a little town known as Campos de Jordao, in the Mantiqueira mountains of Sao Paulo state. The specificity of this area is its temperatures which are significantly lower than in Sao Paulo, with build designs similar to those of Swiss mountain villages. In winter season, it regularly freezes, giving this place a European Alps feeling. The map of the trip can be found HERE.

My best advice is to spend the night away from Campos de Jordao, in a fantastic Pousada I found known as Pousada Alpes de Santo Antonio. It is composed of small wooden huts that you can rent and is located in the middle of the forest. 

You will be able to admire nice sceneries between Santo Antônio do Pinhal and Campos de Jordao.

From Santo Antônio do Pinhal you can reach out to the Cachoeira de Lageado. It is a preserved area which is kept clean and for which you will have a small entrance fee (10R$). At the entrance, you have a bar and can get drinks.

The last interesting feature to see is the Pico Agudo. This flat summit is reached after a rough ride on an earth road which must be avoided on rainy days as the road can very quickly get your vehicle stuck for a while, with no mobile network and no nearby villages). From the summit, you will be able to park your car and observe the amazing scenery in addition to the para-gliders who use this flat surface for takeoff.