Itatiaia National Park, National park in Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais, Brazil
Itatiaia National Park stretches from 540 to 2791 meters in elevation and encompasses dense Atlantic rainforest, waterfalls, natural pools, and rocky mountain formations. The area divides into two zones, with the lower part more accessible and the upper highland section requiring a separate approach.
President Getúlio Vargas founded this protected area in 1937 and made it the first national park of Brazil on land that previously belonged to Visconde de Mauá. The establishment marked a turning point in Brazilian conservation and served as a model for later protected areas across the country.
The name comes from the Tupi language and refers to the indigenous heritage of this region through its meaning as many-pointed rock or stone peaks. Visitors can find today in the lower section of the park a museum that presents the natural and human story of the area.
The area divides into a lower section with a visitor center and an upper highland part that can be reached via a separate 35-kilometer drive. Hikers should prepare for changing weather, as the higher elevations are often cooler and windier than the lower forested zones.
Federal highway BR-485 crosses the protected area and reaches 2460 meters above sea level, making it the highest road in Brazil. This route offers drivers a rare direct access to high mountain landscapes that would otherwise require hours of hiking to reach.
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