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FUMAÇA WATERFALL

The Fumaça Waterfalls is unique and astonishing for its grandiosity and imposing scenery. With 380 meters of free fall, it is the second highest waterfall of the world, following only the Salto Angel in Venezuela. During the season from May to September, the falls water levels are less abundant and the wind embraces the water drops and presents a smoky effect, which originated the name of "Fumaça". The road taking to the waterfalls originated in the early days of the last century, time of the diamond seekers or garimpos, who established themselves in the basin of the rivers Capivara, Palmital, Capivarí e Caldeirão. The trail was partly covered with rocks to facilitate the access of the cattle that is brought to the gerais for pasture in the drought season of the Sertão. The periodic fires of these pastures, purposely started by cattle ranchers, have a strong negative aspect on the local environment.

The fist par of the trek to the Fumaça is an easy walk and offers the satisfaction of a visual panorama over the serra do Rio Preto e o Vale do Capão. After the first hour you reach a stable walking pace and the surrounding area is special for its rich and various flora of Bromeliads, Orchids e Cactus. The stone wall forbids the return of the cattle that periodically invades the gerais. From the wall, the trail is flat, with no difficulties, and displaying some areas rich in carnivorous plants (Drosera) and plants surrounded by the numerous Bromeliads (Vriesas e Tillandsias). The area has the name of "gerais", an incense area that fosters a unique fauna rich in variety, including the local birds, monkeys, reptiles and passing felines. Fortunate trekkers might get a sight of the footprints of the local puma, currently in extinction! The approximate walking time to arrive to the falls is two hours.

Arriving to the falls is uplifting to look around, breath deeply and fall into the mystery of the creation. Enjoy the peaceful and quiet moment, which you will probably never forger. The canyons through which the rivers cross by, is a natural refuge for the small palms or palmitos of the dense mata Atlântica. After passing around a long curve, the river falls into the Capivara, which continues down the stream until joining the Rivers São José and Paraguaçu. The water flow and drops from the Fumaça end their voyage miles away, in the Bahia de Todos os Santos.

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Map Trail

For informational purposed, the following is a description of the points or stops presented in the attached map.

Point 1: A telecommunication tower marks the beginning of the trail, there is a sign placed by the Brazilian Environemental Institute with some information about the route and the park. After several stony corners, your reach an open field of 300 meters, which set the way up towards the Serra de Larguinha.

Point 2: Walking time: 20 min. Hike divided in three legs, areas of high inclination and a maximum height level of 330 meters, this is the most demanding part of the trail. The most inclined areas have been covered with stepping stones to allow a less steep hike, even to human and area animals that feed on the pastures. Beautiful view from the o Morrão and the plains of Campina. You can find at your feed pieces of the local plant, Candombá, which can reach a height of 1,200 meters with a dense fibrous trunk, traditionally used to light campfires. The presence of the plant is an indication of the altitude over the 1,200 meters, as well as the presence of quartz crystals (Si O2). This trail was originally opened by the garimpeiros who used it to reach the Palmital e Capivara rivers.

Point 3: Walking time: 45 min. AT this point you reach the level of the first gerais or canyons, walls of rocks with a sandy trail with a fantastic view overlooking the Capão Valley and the serra do Rio Preto. Immediately, the trail turns to the east, where you find the basin.

Point 4: Walking time: 1 hour. Fields of multiple rock types, rich and fragile surround the basin at the same time. Watch your footsteps and remember not to pick up plants! Multiple species of Bromeliads (includes the Ortophitum burle marxii in homage to the Brazilian nature genius). Cactus and orchids are representing the natural landscape with its rich biological diversity (more than 30.000 samples per m2). Big trees with dense foliage (pau de mocó) and the Samambaiaçu (Alsophila armata) complete the visual pleasures that have existed in the area for millions of years.

Point 5, 6,7: staged where you loose sight of the "Gerais" and it extends itself for over 3kms, with river flows, including the tributaries of the Fumaça, and an exotic fauna and flora. Pay close attention to the red, hairy plants, these are carnivores (Drosera). The beautiful tie-like red flowers that you will see during your walk are endemic to the Chapada (Augastes lumachellus). Close to the falls, it is easy to find a mocó (Kerodon rupestres) a small rodent with a brown bottom.

Point 8: Walking time: 2 hours. Close to the river, you will begin to feel the drops from the falls that turn toward the mountains, driven by the wind. This phenomena originated the name of the falls, "Fumaça", which means "from the smoke". Be careful if you tend to be claustrophobic or become dizzy. The abyss can play tricks with your mind and fears and you are at 380 meters of altitude. The woods guiding towards the canyons is a reminiscence of the Mata Atlântica, with numerous palmitos (Juçara, Euterpe edulis).

The Fumaça rivers converges with the Capivara river, ending in the São José, a tributary of the Paraguaçu, which runs to the Bahia de Todos os Santos, and being blessed by all the regional gods, better known as the Orixás.

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Waypoints GPS     (UTM ; Zona 24;WGS 84)

Map Trail Capão Lençois

Capão Mucugê Trail - 3 days - 53 km

Waypoints GPS  (UTM - Zona 24 - WGS 84 )

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Capão Mucugê Trail - 1

Capão Mucugê Trail -  2

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