Pedra Furada, Natural stone formation in Ponte Alta do Tocantins, Brazil.
Pedra Furada is a natural rock formation with a round opening carved through solid stone near Serra da Capivara National Park. The shelter contains numerous paintings across its walls, preserved within the rock layers.
Evidence from carbon dating suggests people inhabited this area thousands of years ago, making it one of the oldest human occupation sites in the region. The site reveals how early populations moved through and used this landscape over long periods.
The rock wall displays paintings that show hunting scenes, daily life, and ceremonies of ancient peoples who lived here. These artworks tell stories about the early inhabitants and their connection to this land.
Visit planning is important since reaching the site involves arranging transportation and connecting with local guides in the area. It helps to allow extra time for exploration, as access requires coordination with residents familiar with the terrain.
The site holds one of the largest collections of rock paintings documented in South America, with thousands of images covering the shelter's walls. This remarkable concentration makes it a rare window into the artistic expressions of people who lived here long ago.
Location: Ponte Alta do Tocantins
GPS coordinates: -10.87760,-47.38597
Latest update: December 6, 2025 19:09
Northern Brazil holds a range of natural areas and historical sites away from the usual tourist paths. The region stretches from the Amazon basin to the wide plateaus of the Cerrado, offering waterfalls, clear springs, sand dunes, canyons, and caves. Protected areas such as Jalapão State Park and Anavilhanas National Park shelter rare animals and native plants. Rivers wind through dense forests, and in some springs, mineral-rich water pushes swimmers to the surface. The landscape shifts between tropical rainforest, open grasslands, and rock formations shaped over thousands of years. Notable places include the golden sand dunes of Jalapão, the tall waterfalls of Cachoeira da Velha and Cachoeira do Lajeado, and the natural pools known as fervedouros, where visitors can float effortlessly. Pedra Furada, a natural stone arch, and Canyon Encantado show the geological variety of the region. Ilha do Bananal, one of the largest river islands in the world, sits in the Araguaia River and provides habitat for many bird species. Further north, the Amazon rainforest spreads out with its branching rivers and islands. The colonial Fort Príncipe da Beira, built in the 18th century, recalls early European settlement. In Natividade, the small church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário stands as a modest example of colonial architecture. These places combine nature and history, inviting travelers to discover a less familiar side of Brazil.
Jalapão
75 km
Nascentes do Rio Parnaíba National Park
161.3 km
Araguaia Palace
129.3 km
Serra Geral do Tocantins Ecological Station
83.8 km
Museu Histórico do Tocantins
127.1 km
Lajeado State Park
127.8 km
Cathedral of the Divine Holy Spirit in Palmas
129 km
Ilha do Bananal / Cantão Environmental Protection Area
271.2 km
Fervedouro dos Buritis
108.2 km
Canion Encantado
34.4 km
Prainha do Rio Novo
95.6 km
Cânion do Sussuapara
25.9 km
Fervedouro do Soninho
107.6 km
Fervedouro Bela Vista
111.7 km
Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Natividade
99.7 km
Fervedouro do Ceiça
109.9 km
Igreja de São Benedito
99.4 km
Cachoeira da Velha
87.9 km
Ruínas da Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosário dos Pretos
99.8 km
Serra da Catedral do Jalapão
98.6 km
Cachoeira do Formiga
117 km
Igreja Matriz
233.9 km
Catedral Nossa Senhora das Mercês
114.3 km
Seminário São José
114.3 km
Historical center of Natividade
120.9 km
Praia do Rio Novo
87.9 km
Cachoeira do Lajeado
27.3 km
Cachoeira do Edilson
108.1 kmReviews
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