In the northwest of Goiás State, on the central Brazilian plateau, the Chapada dos Veadeiros national park protects an exceptional fragment of cerrado on a plateau formed more than 1.8 billion years ago. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2001, it stretches between the municipalities of Alto Paraíso and Cavalcante, approximately 220 km from Brasilia.

Why visit Chapada dos Veadeiros

The park brings together several points of interest rarely found in one place: canyons, waterfalls, rocky fields and endemic cerrado wildlife, Brazil's second major biome after the Amazon. Notable species include the maned wolf, marsh deer, giant armadillo and capybaras along waterways. The site also plays a major hydrological role, feeding aquifers and several watersheds linked to the Amazon system.

The plateau's altitude, exceeding 1,000 m, moderates the tropical climate and offers open landscapes crossed by rivers with crystal-clear waters, ideal for swimming after a hike.

Park history

The region enters written history in the 18th century, when Portuguese colonists discover a gold deposit. A community of miners settles there on orders from the Crown. When the seam runs out, former miners and freed slaves give rise to Quilombo communities that still inhabit certain valleys nearby, notably around Cavalcante.

Two centuries later, President Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira decides to protect this plateau to support the local economy. The park is officially inaugurated on January 11, 1961. In 2001, UNESCO recognizes the site's biological value by inscribing it as a World Heritage site. Management is entrusted to the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio), which continues to inventory fauna and flora far from being fully documented.

What to see and do in the park

The main entrance is located 1 km northwest of the village of São Jorge. Four marked trails allow visitors to explore distinct sections of the park, each subject to daily quotas to limit pressure on natural areas.

Seriema Trail

Short (approximately 800 m, 1.5 hours hiking) and generally flat, it suits families, children and less athletic walkers. The route crosses cerrado vegetation and allows observation of capybaras near water sources.

Canyons Trail and Cariocas Waterfall

This 12 km round-trip route requires 4 to 6 hours of hiking. It leads to Cariocas waterfall and canyons carved by the Rio Preto river, where swimming is permitted. The contrast between rocky walls and clear water pools makes this one of the visit's highlights.

Saltos Trail and Corredeiras Waterfall

A trail with more pronounced elevation gain, leading to the Mirante do Salto do Rio Preto, a viewpoint overlooking the park's main falls. A suspended walkway of approximately 230 m, accessible to people with reduced mobility, offers views of the rapids from the parking area without requiring the full hike.

Sete Quedas Trail

Reserved for experienced trekkers, this 23.5 km route takes 2 to 3 days, with camping. It opens only from June to November and crosses rocky fields, gallery forests and the former Fiandeiras mine. The exit leads onto GO-239; a shuttle for return is usually necessary.

When to visit

The park can be visited year-round, but conditions vary significantly by season.

• Dry season (May to September): trails passable, clear skies, cool nights. This is the best period for long treks like Sete Quedas, open only this season.
• Rainy season (October to April): lush vegetation and waterfalls at full flow, but muddy trails and possible temporary closures after heavy rain.

Whatever the season, it's best to start hiking early in the morning to enjoy cooler temperatures and account for ICMBio registration hours.

Practical information

Trail access requires mandatory registration at the ICMBio office at the park entrance. Daily quotas apply to each route (around 30 people for Sete Quedas and Seriema, several hundred for Saltos and Canyons). It's best to arrive early or reserve in advance when the system allows.

For the most demanding trails, guidance from an approved local guide is required. Several are based in São Jorge and Alto Paraíso.

Pack essentials:

• appropriate hiking boots,
• sufficient water and snacks,
• sun protection and insect repellent,
• bag for carrying waste out,
• swimsuit for water pools.

The park is open year-round, but registrations occur in the morning only. Exact hours may change; it's best to check with ICMBio before departure.

How to get there

The nearest airports are Brasilia (approximately 260 km) and Goiânia (approximately 460 km). From Brasilia, several bus companies (notably Real Expresso and Santo Antonio) run daily services to Alto Paraíso in 3 to 4 hours. As schedules change regularly, it's better to verify the day before departure.

From Alto Paraíso's bus station, a taxi or rental car takes you to São Jorge, about thirty kilometers away. In a personal vehicle from Brasilia, take BR-020 or BR-010 to Planaltina, then head toward Alto Paraíso and finally GO-239 toward São Jorge.

It's advisable to stay a night in São Jorge or Alto Paraíso before visiting, rather than attempting a same-day round trip from the capital.

What to see in the region and Brésil

To extend your nature experience in Brésil, several sites complement Chapada dos Veadeiros well:

• the Anavilhanas National Park, in the Amazon basin, for a strong ecosystem contrast;
• the Buraco das Araras, a spectacular sinkhole frequented by scarlet macaws;
• the Estância Mimosa, in the Pantanal, for its waterfalls and wildlife.

Frequently asked questions

Planning your next steps

Chapada dos Veadeiros fits easily into an itinerary blending nature, Afro-Brazilian culture and major cities. To build your custom itinerary, consult our trips to Brésil.