The Geoparque Caminhos dos Cânions do Sul (Pathways of the Southern Canyons Geopark) seeks to boost the region's economic development and create opportunities for a better future for its inhabitants by enhancing the appreciation of the natural and cultural heritage and sustainable tourism.
Get to know the project and be part of this journey towards the recognition of the territory as a UNESCO World Geopark.
Enjoy the activities, products and ventures that support the sustainable development of our territory
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The Geoparque Caminhos dos Cânions do Sul (Pathways of the Southern Canyons Geopark) aims for the conservation of the main geological sites of the region, favoring the sustainable use of these sites for purposes such as scientific research, educational activities and tourist activities with minimal impact on the environment.
Canyons, beaches, dunes and waterfalls.
Between the mountains and the sea, riches that fill the eyes and experiences that are kept in memory forever.
From extreme sport to the pleasures of great food.
From the countryside to the city.
From big events to the tranquility of bird singing.
From museums that invite a return to the past to the trails that lead to new destinations.
Our territory offers endless attractions to meet, live and fall in love with.
Education for sustainability is one of the main pillars of the Geoparque Caminhos dos Cânions do Sul (Pathways of the Southern Canyons Geopark), which raises awareness of the importance of preserving the natural and cultural heritage of the territory.
The Geopark is part of the pedagogical practices of the education network of the seven municipalities that integrate the territory, with various activities performed in the classroom on the subject.
The commitment to the awakening of this new environmental awareness is also present in the daily lives of the people engaged in the Geopark.
Get to know and be part of this effort!
The Geoparque Caminhos dos Cânions do Sul (Pathways of the Southern Canyons Geopark) seeks to boost the region's economic development and create opportunities for a better future for its inhabitants by enhancing the appreciation of the natural and cultural heritage and sustainable tourism.
Get to know the project and be part of this journey towards the recognition of the territory as a UNESCO World Geopark.
Enjoy the activities, products and ventures that support the sustainable development of our territory
Those who travel the territory have the opportunity to witness the history of the geological formation of our region, enter spaces previously inhabited by prehistoric animals and better understand the evolution of Earth and humanity.
The Geoparque Caminhos dos Cânions do Sul (Pathways of the Southern Canyons Geopark) aims for the conservation of the main geological sites of the region, favoring the sustainable use of these sites for purposes such as scientific research, educational activities and tourist activities with minimal impact on the environment.
Scenery of unmatched beauty, full of riches. We invite you to live an unforgettable experience in the midst of nature and to know the habits and customs of this welcoming people.
Canyons, beaches, dunes and waterfalls.
Between the mountains and the sea, riches that fill the eyes and experiences that are kept in memory forever.
From extreme sport to the pleasures of great food.
From the countryside to the city.
From big events to the tranquility of bird singing.
From museums that invite a return to the past to the trails that lead to new destinations.
Our territory offers endless attractions to meet, live and fall in love with.
Education for sustainability is one of the main pillars of the Geoparque Caminhos dos Cânions do Sul (Pathways of the Southern Canyons Geopark), which raises awareness of the importance of preserving the natural and cultural heritage of the territory.
The Geopark is part of the pedagogical practices of the education network of the seven municipalities that integrate the territory, with various activities performed in the classroom on the subject.
The commitment to the awakening of this new environmental awareness is also present in the daily lives of the people engaged in the Geopark.
Get to know and be part of this effort!
The Caminhos dos Cânions do Sul Geopark project is an initiative formed by seven cities of the states of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina, created with the purpose of working in an integrated way for the sustainable development of this territory, seeking recognition as a UNESCO Global Geopark.
In recent years, the professionals participating in the project have been dedicated to the enlightenment and involvement of the local population, promoting training, establishing partnerships with institutions and private initiative, promoting the region in tourism fairs, involving the school community in educational activities, integrating the tourism in the region, among many other activities.
This region has unique natural features with special emphasis on the Serra Geral, a large winding cliff over 200 km long, with a height ranging from 900 to 1,300 meters, where a succession of canyons, very deep valleys and great beauty cohabitate with lush biodiversity.
In addition, the region reveals a rich material and immaterial cultural heritage representative of the different people that inhabited this region, with emphasis on indigenous and Luso-Brazilian, Vincentian, Azorean, Italian and German immigrant cultures.
Geodiversity comprises the variety of geological elements that are products of Earth's evolution, such as landscapes, rocks, minerals, fossils, soils, and all surface deposits that support life on Earth.
In the territory of the Caminhos dos Cânions do Sul Geopark Project, geodiversity allows us to tell a geological history that began approximately 250 million years ago, highlighting the final record of the Paraná Basin's filling episodes and their relationship to the rupture of the Gondwana supercontinent and the opening of the South Atlantic Ocean. The product of this geological evolution can be seen in the rocks and landforms of this region that, over time, suffered the action of the internal and external processes of the Earth's dynamics.
The Caminhos dos Cânions do Sul Geopark geosites comprise the most representative places of regional geodiversity of recognized scientific, educational and touristic value. Its purpose is to support initiatives of: conservation of geological heritage, in parallel with other conservation actions of biotic elements; dissemination of geosciences and promotion of the local economy through geotourism.
Get to know some of the geosites of the Caminhos dos Cânions do Sul Geopark project territory and remember:
Take only pictures, leave only your footprints, take home only your memories!
Important elements of the geological heritage of the region are already protected in Conservation Units that exist in the territory, with special emphasis given to the canyons located in the National Parks Aparados da Serra and Serra Geral, such as Itaimbezinho, Fortaleza, Malacara, Churriado and Índios Coroados; the dune fields of Itapeva State Park; and Ilha dos Lobos Wildlife Refuge.
Conservation Units are natural areas that are protected by their special characteristics, legally created by the government, in its three spheres (municipal, state and federal) and are subject to special rules and regulations.
The Geoparque Caminhos dos Cânions do Sul features charming destinations in unique locations, each with its own peculiarity, providing diverse experiences within a single itinerary. A territory full of attractions uniting natural and cultural heritage.
Much more than a journey of adventure, faith, gastronomy, sensations and discoveries: we invite you to live experiences that will be engraved in your memory.
Rural tourism provides great experiences for tourists visiting the Caminhos Cânions do Sul territory.
The colonial and agricultural communities offer the experience of life in the countryside, associated with leisure and appreciation of the environment.
Farmers welcome visitors in their properties to experience their way of life in order to present the local culture.
Tales and family stories, snacks served with delicacies, cakes, cheeses, salamis and organic produce are some of the attractions that the visitor will find.
Great adventure awaits in the region of the Caminhos dos Cânions do Sul.
Through ancient troop paths already known by indigenous peoples and tropeiros that circulated in the region in the past centuries, amidst the walls of Serra Geral and the coast, the region has a great cultural diversity.
Different cultures and ethnic groups such as Luso-Brazilians, Africans, Italians, Germans and some peoples whose existence can only be proven in archaeological sites, helped to build the history of the region of Aparados, today territory of the Geopark Project.
Visitors to the territory have the opportunity to taste a wide variety delicious food. The menu starts with seafood dishes, such as the famous crab shell, fish bait, shrimp risotto, among many other suggestions.
You will also find the traditional churrasco (gaucho barbecue - a typical dish and symbol of the State of Rio Grande do Sul), chocolate or fruit and cheese fondue, and delicious homemade food, heritage of the Italian and German colonization that settled in the territory. And there are still the options of Japanese and Italian food.
The food can be watered by craft beer produced in the territory with spring water from the canyons of the region or the spectacular wines produced in the Serra Gaucha.
In the afternoon, going with friends or family to the local coffee shops is a great idea, in places with a cozy and peaceful atmosphere. And don't forget to try the delicious chocolate produced in the territory.
Caminhos dos Cânions do Sul is a rich territory for sports, especially adventure and nature sports. The beautiful landscapes are an invitation to practice extreme, moderate or light sports.
The territory is comprised by the ocean and the Atlantic Forest, giving it a mixture of sea, cliffs, canyons, rivers, lagoons, waterfalls, paleoburrows, etc.
All of these provides a variety of options for sporting and leisure activities - live that thrill.
The territory's calendar of events offers year-round attractions.
Festivals with international recognition, championships and traditional fairs. The region has many activities, such as:
The Caminhos dos Cânions do Sul Geopark Project has been developing strategies to involve teachers, students and their families in actions that contribute to the knowledge and appreciation of the territory's natural and cultural heritage, nature conservation and sustainable development in the region.
With a large school audience, the project involved in the last two years about 76 public schools (municipal and state), totaling more than 12 thousand students, distributed in 7 cities in two states.
The Caminhos dos Cânions do Sul Intermunicipal Consortium establishes partnerships with educational institutions in order to foster the production of scientific research and educational actions that contribute to the sustainable development of the territory.
Terms of cooperation are in force with the following institutions:
Understanding the history of the territory is fundamental to the appreciation of the natural and cultural heritage.
Everything begins with the knowledge of the geological and geomorphological context that gave rise to this lush scenery.
Learn more about the geological formation of the region:
The region covered by the Geopark Project is fully inserted in the Atlantic Forest Biome, considered the richest in biodiversity in the entire planet (some also consider a small occurrence of the Pampa Biome in Torres - RS).
Currently, less than 10% of the original area of the Atlantic Forest remains, and yet its floristic and faunal biodiversity is exceptional, and much of this is due to the fact that the region has a gradient of altitude, humid climate and a great diversity of natural environments such as: beaches; sandbanks; dune fields; wetlands in general; ponds; rivers, and various types of forests.
The Caminhos dos Cânions do Sul Geopark Project acts to contribute to the sustainable development of the region. And you, do you know how to do your part?
