Serra do Cipó National Park National Park

Serra do Cipó National Park is a federally protected area in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, set within the Espinhaço Range and established to conserve local ecosystems in the 1980s. It is recognized for its botanical diversity and landscapes of quartzite plateaus and rocky outcrops.

The park contains numerous waterfalls, short to multi-day hiking trails and areas suitable for rock climbing and birdwatching. Trails range from easy walks to exposed ridge and plateau routes; waterways and shallow pools are common highlights. Many visitors come for day hikes, photographing waterfalls and seeing cerrado flora and endemic species.

The protected area was created by federal decree in the 1980s to conserve water sources and the region’s characteristic vegetation and wildlife. Over time it has become a focal point for nature tourism in Minas Gerais while remaining a working landscape with nearby rural communities.

The park sits in the Espinhaço mountain chain of southeastern Brazil in Minas Gerais. It occupies rugged terrain of plateaus and valleys and is reached via local roads from nearby towns within the state.

• Ecology: The park lies within the Espinhaço Range and protects cerrado and campos rupestres vegetation as well as numerous waterfalls and quartzite plateaus.
• Best time to visit: The dry season, roughly May to September, gives the firmest trail conditions for hiking and scrambling on exposed rock.

Serra do Cipó is about a 2-3 hour drive from Belo Horizonte along BR-040 and local highways; regular buses serve towns near park entrances but a car or arranged transfer is more convenient.

• The park is popular with local day-trippers from Belo Horizonte - arrive early on weekends to avoid crowds at main waterfalls.
• Hire a local guide to reach more remote trails and to learn about endemic flora like Vellozia species.
• Many trails cross streams and include steep rock scrambles; footwear with good grip and a little scrambling experience are recommended.