Aparados da Serra National Park, National Park in Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina, Brazil.
Aparados da Serra National Park is a protected reserve straddling Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina, defined by steep rock walls and deep gorges carved into the landscape. Dense Atlantic Forest covers the terrain, with waterfalls descending from high elevations and feeding into rivers that run through the valleys.
The park was established in 1959 to protect the canyons and forests of this remote region. Over the following decades, government decisions reshaped the boundaries as authorities balanced conservation with other regional interests.
The protected landscape holds deep meaning for locals who have lived alongside these canyons and forests for generations. Visitors walking through the park today can see how the land shapes daily life in this remote part of southern Brazil.
The park is best explored on foot, with several trails of varying difficulty leading visitors through the terrain. Proper footwear is essential since paths are rocky and steep elevation changes demand some physical endurance.
Itaimbezinho Canyon contains some of the region's most striking rock formations, with nearly vertical walls that rise dramatically from the valley floor. Few visitors realize that the most rewarding views often come from the quieter lookout points rather than the busiest hiking routes.
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