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A newly released mapping initiative documents the visitor infrastructure of 15 waterfalls located in environmentally protected areas across Brazil. The report details the dimensions of the waterfalls and the distances of the trails, aiding in the planning of regional ecotourism. The structures analyzed range from short access points to multi-kilometer hikes through rugged terrain.
In the Chapada Diamantina National Park, Bahia, tourists trek a 6-kilometer trail from the Vale do Capão to reach the Fumaça Waterfall, which stands at 380 meters tall and experiences its lowest water flow between May and September. In the Tabuleiro Municipal Natural Park, Minas Gerais, visitors hike to a 273-meter waterfall. In Cavalcante, Goiás, access to the Santa Bárbara Waterfall is controlled within the Kalunga Quilombola territory, where the local community requires a maintenance fee and the presence of native guides to manage visitor flow.
In the Chapada dos Guimarães National Park, Mato Grosso, tourism is concentrated at the Véu de Noiva Waterfall viewpoint, which stands at 86 meters.
Visitor Structures in the Southern Region
The topography of destinations in southern Brazil requires physical interventions to ensure safe visitor access. The report highlights two state parks in Rio Grande do Sul with distinct geological features. The protected areas in the region include:
- Turvo State Park, in Derrubadas, home to the Yucumã Falls, featuring a 1,800-meter-long fissure in the Uruguay River bed.
- Caracol State Park, in Canela, where a 927-step staircase is maintained for visitors to reach the base of the 131-meter waterfall.