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Brazil🇧🇷 | hikesTrilha do Pico ParanáSouth Brazil's high point, ridge camp, Camapuã side peak, cloud sea | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Trilha do Pico Paraná
👍 Recommendedhike ranked #11
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

The summit register box at the top of Pico Paraná, the highest point in southern Brazil at about 1,877 meters, holds notebooks where climbers scrawl their names. The trail sits in Paraná state, Brazil, inland from Antonina and Curitiba's coast side, in the Serra do Ibitiraquire range. It is steep, rocky and muddy, with ropes and scrambles near the top, and the views over Atlantic forest and cloud seas are superb. It is not a hike for casual sandals, and the access road is the weak link: public transport stops far from the start. I once skipped a second water refill at the last stream, trusting the map, and found the upper ridge dry. Carry more than you think. Best for fit, self-sufficient hikers who like camping; skip it if you want an easy day walk.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Brazil Travel Guide.
Best time to go: April - September
Duration: 2 days
Distance: 18 kilometers
Total ascent: 1100 meters


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #11 hike in BrazilThe unique appeal for travelers

Trilha do Pico Paraná gives you the tallest summit in Brazil's south, and the scale of that reward is the main draw. From the ridge you see the Serra do Ibitiraquire peaks, including the neighboring Camapuã and Itapiroca, rising out of cloud with the Atlantic forest below. Camping is the other reason. The Pico Paraná campsite at the base of the final climb lets you sleep high and catch dawn from the top, which makes the long approach worth it. The route also works for serious backpackers because distances are flexible: some do a fast two-day push, others add the neighboring summits and stretch it to three days. Cost stays low, since the main spend is food and fuel rather than permits or guides, though a registration at the park office is required.

💡 HighlightsEssential experiences to have while hiking the Trilha do Pico Paraná

  1. Pico Paraná summit: The main goal at about 1,877 meters, a rocky top with a 360-degree view over ridges and forest, plus the register notebooks.
  2. Camapuã peak: A shorter scramble from the main camp area, with a close view of Pico Paraná's profile and often clearer air at dawn.
  3. Pico Paraná campsite: The base camp used by most hikers, set in open highland with water nearby and a flat spot for tents.
  4. Serra do Ibitiraquire ridgeline: The rolling crest between Atlantic forest and highland grass, with sudden drops and long views toward the coast.
  5. Sea of clouds at dawn: On clear mornings the valleys fill with cloud below the summit, a sight that justifies the cold early start.
Camapuã and the main summit pair well in one morning if you start from camp before dawn.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Trilha do Pico Paraná

Bar-hopping and Food Tour in Curitiba

Bar-hopping and Food Tour in Curitiba

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Sunset Train Ride

Sunset Train Ride

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Scenic Train ride to historical cities of Morretes and Antonina

Scenic Train ride to historical cities of Morretes and Antonina

4.0(197) 9h
From €118
per personViator
Full-day tour in Curitiba

Full-day tour in Curitiba

4.9(56)
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Complete Tour to Ilha do Mel

Complete Tour to Ilha do Mel

4.9(16)
From €154
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Experience the Best of Curitiba: City Tour Highlights

Experience the Best of Curitiba: City Tour Highlights

4.1(24) 4h
From €61
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Full Day Tour to Vila Velha and Buraco do Padre

Full Day Tour to Vila Velha and Buraco do Padre

4.9(13)
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8h full city tour in Curitiba

8h full city tour in Curitiba

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4 Hour City Tour in Curitiba

4 Hour City Tour in Curitiba

4.6(11) 4h
From €61
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Discover Vila Velha State Park Tour and Witmarsum Colony

Discover Vila Velha State Park Tour and Witmarsum Colony

4.0(15) 6h
From €181
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Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Best time to hike the Trilha do Pico Paraná

  • Winter (June to August): Clear, dry days dominate and the summit views are most reliable. Daytime reaches 15 to 22°C (59 to 72°F), but nights at the camps drop to 0 to 5°C (32 to 41°F), with frost possible. Daylight is shorter, roughly 11 hours. This is peak season, so weekends fill the campsites.
  • Summer (December to March): Hot, humid and stormy, with 18 to 30°C (64 to 86°F) and afternoon downpours. Rock turns slick, and the summit is often socked in. Days are long and crowds thinner.
  • Spring and Autumn (April to May, September to November): Milder at 10 to 24°C (50 to 75°F), with fewer people and decent windows of clear weather.
Book a weekday in May or September to get good conditions without the holiday crush.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: fair for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: excellent for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: highly recommended for travelingAUGAugust: highly recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: fair for travelingDECDecember: fair for traveling
when-to-go

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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas to stay in Brazil

If you enjoy meeting fellow travelers, consider choosing hostels with high ratings for atmosphere. On the other hand, if you prefer having your own space, a hotel might be a better option.

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🥾 Hike detailsEverything you need to know before hiking Trilha do Pico Paraná

Total Distance: About 16 to 20 kilometers round trip, depending on the route taken from the trailhead.
Estimated Duration: Two days is standard, with a night at the camp; fast hikers sometimes do it in one very long day.
Difficulty: Hard. Steep, rooty and muddy climbs, with scrambles and fixed ropes near the top.
Starting Point: The trailhead in the Serra do Ibitiraquire area near Campina Grande do Sul, reached by a rough access road. Public buses run only to nearby towns, so plan on a taxi or arranged ride for the last stretch.
Major Landmarks:
  • Forest section: The long, shaded climb through dense
… read more 👉
Total Distance: About 16 to 20 kilometers round trip, depending on the route taken from the trailhead.
Estimated Duration: Two days is standard, with a night at the camp; fast hikers sometimes do it in one very long day.
Difficulty: Hard. Steep, rooty and muddy climbs, with scrambles and fixed ropes near the top.
Starting Point: The trailhead in the Serra do Ibitiraquire area near Campina Grande do Sul, reached by a rough access road. Public buses run only to nearby towns, so plan on a taxi or arranged ride for the last stretch.
Major Landmarks:
  • Forest section: The long, shaded climb through dense Atlantic forest.
  • Campsite: The open base camp below the summit, with water sources.
  • Summit: The rocky top with views and the register box.
Terrain and Scenery: Rocky steps, tree roots, mud and exposed rock slabs, opening onto grassy highlands and sweeping ridge views.
Vegetation: Dense Atlantic forest at the base, giving way to high-altitude shrubs and grasses.
Wildlife: Birds are most common, and monkeys and small mammals live in the forest; sightings are mostly by sound.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetyTraveler Safety Guide

Trilha do Pico Paraná is a steep, rocky climb where weather and footing cause most problems. Cloud rolls in fast, and wet rock on the final scrambles near the summit becomes slippery, so start early and turn around if storms build. Temperatures swing sharply, so pack a warm layer and rain jacket even in summer. Wear boots with grip and carry at least 3 liters of water, since sources near the camps need treatment. Trails are marked but fog makes navigation tricky, so download an offline map. Ticks and the occasional snake are present in the forest, so wear long pants and watch where you place hands. Carry out all trash.
Check Country Safety

FAQFrequently asked questions about Trilha do Pico Paraná

Trilha do Pico Paraná takes most hikers 2 days and 1 night, with about 8 to 10 hours of walking each way on the ascent day. The trailhead is in the Campina Grande do Sul area, around 1.5 hours by road from Curitiba. The trail covers roughly 10 to 12 km one way, and many people camp near the base of the summit. Fast, fit hikers sometimes do it as a long single day, though that is exhausting.
Trilha do Pico Paraná is hard, one of the more demanding hikes in southern Brazil. It climbs steeply to about 1,877 meters, the highest point in the state, with muddy sections, roots, and rope-assisted scrambles near the top. Expect around 1,000 meters or more of elevation gain over long stretches, and carry a loaded pack for the overnight. Good fitness and sturdy boots are needed, though no technical climbing skill is required.
A permit is required for Trilha do Pico Paraná, since it sits inside a protected state area managed by the Paraná environmental authority. Registration is done through the official system and at the trailhead, and fees are small, typically under US$10 per person. A guide is not mandatory for experienced hikers, but hiring one costs roughly US$40 to 80 per day and helps in fog. Check current rules before you go, since access can close during bad weather.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Brazilian hikes near Trilha do Pico Paraná

Explore more nearby:

  • Pico Paraná—highest summit, exposed ridges, panoramic views| 9 km away
  • Morro do Anhangava—Iron-staple rock pitch, Marumbi outlook, cloud-filled valleys, half-day climb| 23 km away
  • Caminho do Itupava—Mossy colonial cobbles, Rio Ipiranga bridges, car-free descent, barreado finish| 26 km away

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We 💚 feedbackFinal thoughts on hiking the Trilha do Pico Paraná

Trilha do Pico Paraná is best in the cooler, drier months, and best of all at dawn from the summit, when cloud fills the valleys below. I would camp the night before and start climbing in the dark rather than rush up in daylight. Pack extra water and warm layers.

✈️ When did I visit Brazil?
Call it good timing or luck, but I was able to celebrate Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro in February 2022, after a round trip in the north and east coast.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Brazil, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

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