The park covers approximately 104,000 hectares across the border of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro states.
The Trilha do Ouro stretches over 50 kilometers and takes multiple days to traverse entirely.
The highest peak, Pico do Tira o Chapéu, is the second-highest point in the Serra da Bocaina.
The park includes the Cachoeira de Santo Isidro, a 70-meter waterfall accessible via a moderate trail.
It preserves a critical corridor for the Atlantic Forest, one of the world's most endangered biodiversity hotspots.
Parque Nacional da Serra da Bocaina protects a biodiverse transition zone between the Atlantic Forest and the Mantiqueira Mountains. It features elevations ranging from sea level to 2,088 meters at the Pico do Tira o Chapéu. The park is historically significant for containing segments of the Caminho de Mambucaba, an 18th-century royal road used for transporting gold. Its geography encompasses rugged mountain peaks, deep canyons, and coastal beaches in the Paraty region. The park is divided into a high-altitude plateau, favored for trekking and mountain climbing, and a coastal zone characterized by steep cliffs and waterfalls. Visitors can traverse the Trilha do Ouro, a historic stone-paved route connecting São José do Barreiro to the coast. The park is managed by ICMBio and functions as a protected sanctuary for species like the spider monkey and the maned wolf. Dense vegetation and persistent mist are characteristic of the higher altitudes.
The viewpoint at the summit of the Trilha do Ouro, offering expansive vistas of the plateau and surrounding mountain ranges.
Carry professional-grade navigation tools or hire a local guide, as mountain trails lack cellular signal and clear signage.
Prepare for rapid weather changes and significant temperature drops at higher elevations, even during summer.
Bring waterproof footwear and insect repellent, as the park features humid forests and frequent stream crossings.
Attempting multi-day treks without adequate physical preparation or local logistical support is a common hazard.
Practice leave-no-trace principles, remain on marked trails to prevent erosion and botanical damage, and do not feed wild animals.
