Serra do Mar State Park

Serra do Mar State Park is a large protected area spanning multiple São Paulo coastal municipalities with dense Atlantic Forest and steep mountain escarpments. The terrain features numerous trails and viewpoints where visitors can explore the forest and enjoy coastal views.

The park was established in 1977 to protect the region during the construction of the BR-101 highway and preserve its natural environment. The major road project in that era made the creation of the protected area necessary.

Indigenous peoples, quilombola communities, caipiras, and caiçaras have long inhabited these lands and maintain their traditional practices. You can find traces of their knowledge in local crafts and the way they use the forest.

The best time to visit is during drier months when trails are easier to walk and views from viewpoints are clearer. Multiple entrance points are scattered across different coastal towns, so it helps to check ahead which one suits your route.

The park harbors crucial water sources that supply the São Paulo metropolitan area and several surrounding regions. This hidden network of water systems makes it an invisible but essential part of the infrastructure for millions of people.

Location: North Coast

Location: Cunha

Location: Paranapiacaba

Location: São Paulo

Inception: 1977

Email: pesm.cunha@fflorestal.sp.gov.br

GPS coordinates: -23.96800,-46.64990

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:49