Cantareira State Park, State park in São Paulo, Brazil
Cantareira State Park is a protected area covering thousands of hectares of Atlantic Forest across multiple sections of São Paulo's metropolitan region. Each of the four main sections—Pedra Grande, Águas Claras, Engordador, and Cabuçu—offers its own network of trails and entry points for visitors.
The Serra da Cantareira ridge received its name from 16th-century traders who stored water in ceramic jars on wooden shelves at a high-altitude stop. This naming tradition reflects the region's importance as a passage point in colonial times.
The park plays a central role in protecting Atlantic Forest ecosystems and helps visitors understand the importance of this landscape for local wildlife and the region's environment. Educational centers throughout the site share information about conservation efforts and native species that depend on these forests.
The park's four sections vary in terrain difficulty and require different levels of fitness depending on the trails chosen in each area. Visitors should plan accordingly based on which sections interest them most, as each requires separate access points.
The forest shelters several endangered animal species including ocelots and brown howler monkeys that roam the canopy and understory. While these animals are difficult to spot during a visit, their presence demonstrates how critical these protected forests remain for their survival.
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