Trekking in the Pati Valley

5 days

Located in the heart of Chapada Diamantina, the Pati Valley and its surrounding mountains form a breathtaking geological, natural, and scenic masterpiece. This unique ecosystem stands out for its lush vegetation and great diversity of landscapes, making every step in this marvel of Mother Nature utterly unforgettable.

Trekking through the Pati Valley offers an experience both contemplative and challenging, with trails ranging from moderate to difficult. Hikers will face steep ascents and some difficult stretches, but the effort is well rewarded when you arrive at the top, with jaw-dropping views over vast canyons from the edge of huge cliffs. During the 5-day trek, several must-see sites include: the Cachoeirão waterfall seen from above and below, the Castle Mountain, the Funil River with its 3 waterfalls, the Pati Viewpoint and the Trees’ Pond.

At night, the hikers rest in cozy dormitories built by the valley's inhabitants, offering well-deserved relaxation after long days of trekking. Our guides are also excellent cooks, ensuring that every meal is delicious and hearty. Our treks are truly gastronomic adventures as well!

Pati Valley 5 days: The Heart of Chapada Diamantina

Practical Information

Main Highlights of the Trek

Duration: 5 days
Departure Time: 7h30
Return Time: 21h
Total Distance: 51 km
Daily Hiking Hour: 4 to 7 hours
Total Transportation Time (Round Trip): 4 hours

The 5-day option is the best way to fully experience the entire Pati Valley, including both the upper and lower parts of the valley. The first two days are identical to the 3-day trek.

Incredible panoramic views from several viewpoints
Walk around the top of Castle Mountain
Descending the Funil (funnel) River with its 3 waterfalls
Discovering the dizzying Cachoeirão from above and below: Brazil's ninth-highest free-falling waterfall at 270 meters
Bathing in the mysterious dark waters of the Trees’ Pond and Rivers’ Meeting
Access to the immense geological, historical, wildlife, and botanical wealth of Chapada Diamantina through our guides who know the region like the back of their hand
An unforgettable human adventure with our groups of hikers from around the world, guided by our professional guides
A dive into typical Bahianese and Brazilian cuisine

What is not Included?

Professional local guide
Dormitory accommodation in refuges
Round-trip transportation
Meals:
4 breakfasts
5 picnics
4 dinners
Agency’s insurance
Luggage storage service

What is Included?

Breakfast before the trek
Dinner after returning from the trek
Drinks in the refuges (sodas, beer, cachaça, etc.)

How does water supply work during the trek?

What shall I Bring?

Each participant must bring between 1.5L and 3L of bottled water on the first day, depending on the season. The guides will point out locations along the trail where potable water is available, such as springs, rivers, or waterfalls. The water from the rivers in Chapada Diamantina National Park is generally safe to drink, despite its golden color, which comes from the tannin-rich leaves of the local vegetation that fall into the rivers and infuse in the water.

Backpack (minimum 40 liters): Each group member carries a portion of the group’s food in their backpack on the first day (3 to 4 kilos per person).
Hiking boots
1 to 2 water bottles of 1.5L each
Hiking clothes (shorts, t-shirt, socks)
Rain jacket
Light jacket for summer / Warm jacket for winter
Lamp (preferably a headlamp)
Phone charger
Swimsuit
Small towel (for bathing in rivers and waterfalls; a towel will be provided at your accommodation for showering at night)
Sandals or flip-flops for the evening
Sun protection (sunscreen, hat or cap, UV-protective shirt, sunglasses)
Personal hygiene kit
Insect repellent

Pati Valley 5 days Trek Overview

Pati Viewpoint and Funil River Descent

Day 1

Distance: 11 km
Starting Altitude: 1080 m
Highest Point: 1340 m
Lowest Point: 920 m

The journey begins with a 2-hour drive from Lençóis to the village of Guiné, where the trail starts. After half an hour of climbing, we reach the Aleixo Viewpoint, and then begin crossing the plateau known as Gerais do Rio Preto, which separates us from the Pati Valley. Another hour walk brings us to the Pati Valley Viewpoint, offering a spectacular panoramic view. It’s the perfect spot for a snack and a short rest.

Next, we descend via the Rampa to the bottom of the valley. After half an hour walking, we enter the bed of the Funil River and discover its seven cascades one after another. The terrain is unpredictable: in some sections, you'll need to use your hands to cling on, experiencing the famous "escalaminhada" (literally, “hike-climbing”). After 30 minutes, we reach the main waterfall of the river, known as the Funil Waterfall, for a refreshing swim. From there, it’s just another hour walk to the refuge where we’ll spend the first night, along the river downstream.

Castle Mountain and Its Cave

Day 2

Distance: 8 km
Starting Altitude: 920 m
Highest Point: 1390 m
Lowest Point: 920 m

After a hearty breakfast, we begin the day with the ascent of Castle Mountain (Morro do Castelo). This takes about an hour and a half. The climb is quite steep, but it passes through a forest, so much of the trail is shaded by trees. We then reach the entrance of the Castle Cave (Gruta do Castelo) — it’s time to get your lanterns ready! We traverse the mountain, emerging on the other side. Once back in daylight, we are greeted by a fantastic view of the surrounding valleys from the top of massive rocks towering over the landscape.

From there, we walk five more minutes to reach the top of a massive boulder precariously balanced over the others, where we can gaze down at the Calixto Waterfall and the endless mountain chains stretching till the horizon. The guide prepares a picnic on top of this rock while everyone enjoys the unforgettable view. With full stomachs, we descend Castle Mountain and return to the accommodation. After retrieving our belongings and enjoying a refreshing dip in the river, we set off towards the second refuge where we’ll spend the night.

Option 1: Poço das Árvores (Trees’ Pool) and Encontro dos Rios (Rivers’ Meeting)

Day 3

Distance: 7 km
Starting Altitude: 850 m
Highest Point: 870 m
Lowest Point: 680 m
3 hours and half of hiking

The first option, highly recommended, involves descending from the high to the low Pati Valley, passing through Poço das Árvores (Trees’ Pool) and Encontro dos Rios (Rivers’ Meeting). These are two magnificent spots for a refreshing swim and to admire lush riverbank forests. The advantage of this option is that it requires less hiking on the third day, offering a mid-trek respite before tackling the more technical days that follow.

Option 2: Calixto Valley

Day 3

Distance: 16 km
Starting Altitude: 850 m
Highest Point: 1025 m
Lowest Point: 680 m
7 hours of hiking

The second option is significantly more challenging! We begin with a visit to the Calixto Valley and its two charming waterfalls: Calixto and Palmito. This option is ideal for more experienced hikers, as it features a longer and more technical route (For details, see Day 3 of the 4-day Pati trek). After exploring the Calixto Valley, the trek continues downstream to the Rivers’ Meeting and the Trees’ Pool, eventually reaching the lower valley of Pati where we will spend the night.

Cachoeirão from Below

Day 4

Distance: 9 km
Starting Altitude: 850 m
Highest Point: 950 m
Lowest Point: 700 m
5 hours of hiking

The fourth day is dedicated to exploring the Cachoeirão’s canyon, where you'll marvel at Brazil's ninth highest free-falling waterfall (270 m) from below: a breathtaking sight!

Cachoeirão from Above

Day 5

Distance: 16 km
Starting Altitude: 920 m
Highest Point: 1280 m
Lowest Point: 820 m
8 hours of hiking

The final day is the most breathtaking! After a hearty breakfast, we begin the last big ascent of the trek: the famous Fenda da Prefeitura ("Town Hall Crack"), a fissure between two cliffs at the top of the mountains. After two hours of climbing and reaching the first viewpoint, we arrive at the second viewpoint: a rock suspended in the air, known as Caïman Rock, offering a different perspective on Castle Mountain.

One more hour of hiking brings us to the most awe-inspiring spot of the trek: the Cachoeirão ("Big Waterfall"). Wow! The multiple streams of water gushing from the cliffs and falling 270 meters below are a breathtaking sight. We take some time to admire this natural wonder from two different viewpoints:

To the left of the waterfall: Turtle Rock, a pointed stone suspended over the void
To the right of the waterfall: A rocky slab that also seems to float in the air

After this moment of contemplation, we continue to Cachoeirão’s natural pool, where we stop for lunch. Given the usually high temperatures, this is the perfect opportunity to cool off and rehydrate!

But beware, the day is not over yet! We take the return trail across the plateaus, and it will take about three hours to reach the Aleixo viewpoint, from where we can spot the car. A final half-hour descent brings us back to our starting point from the first day. Then, we head back to Lençóis for a two-hour drive.

Important Information: During the dry season, the Cachoeirão and its natural pool are almost dry, but even so, the view of the valley below and the surrounding cliffs remains unforgettable.