The Serra Geral National Park, located in Cambará do Sul, has started offering a new activity called Sunrise in Fortaleza. This tour allows visitors to contemplate the sunrise in Cânion Fortaleza, starting approximately two hours before dawn.
Details of the new activity
Participants will be taken to an altitude above one thousand meters above sea level to observe the first lights of the day illuminating the imposing basalt cliffs. The activity takes place on Thursdays and Sundays, with approval from ICMBio and conducted by duly accredited local guides. The organization of this experience is the result of a collaboration between the concessionaire Urbia and local tourism operators.
Benefits and additional attractions
The ticket for this tour grants the visitor two extra accesses to the Serra Geral and Aparados da Serra parks, valid for a period of up to seven days after the first visit. Under clear sky conditions, it is possible to see views of beaches located in southern Santa Catarina and northern Rio Grande do Sul, as well as spot balloons crossing the horizon during sunrise.
Additionally, the zipline attraction in Cânion Fortaleza has been reactivated, after being deactivated in 2024 due to low tourist flow in the park.
Geography and main canyons
The Serra Geral National Park is situated on the border between Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina and features remarkable landscapes, blending high-altitude fields, trails, and large rock formations formed over millions of years. Its focal point is Cânion Fortaleza, recognized as the largest natural canyon in Brazil in terms of volume and depth. This canyon spans 7.5 kilometers and has sections exceeding 1,1 thousand meters in altitude, characterized by wall-like cliffs and panoramic views.
The park also offers several trails with different difficulty levels, such as Borda Sul, Quebra Cangalha, Pedra do Segredo, and Alto do Mirante, in addition to the Arroio Tigre Preto waterfall. Nearby, the Aparados da Serra National Park displays other beauties, including Cânion Itaimbezinho, famous for its almost vertical cliffs and easy trails to viewpoints. Among the most popular paths are the Vértice, Cotovelo, and Camisas trails, which offer views of the Andorinhas and Véu de Noiva waterfalls.
For those seeking a greater challenge, the Rio do Boi Trail, located in Praia Grande (SC), allows traversing the interior of Cânion Itaimbezinho following sections of the riverbed, passing through natural pools and waterfalls. Access to this route is regulated by ICMBio and requires advance reservation and accompaniment by a registered guide.
Service information
The location of the activity is the Serra Geral National Park, specifically in Cânion Fortaleza, near the end of Highway CS-012, in Cambará do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul. The tours take place on Thursdays and Sundays, starting about two hours before sunrise. The cost to enter the national park starts at R$ 107, which guarantees three accesses within a seven-day period. For the sunrise experience, prices must be checked with agencies accredited by Urbia, since the ticket already includes two additional accesses to the parks.



