The 8 best multi-day hikes in Brazil: Trekking vacations for adventurous travellers

Brazil is a vast country with a wide variety of landscapes that make it a compelling destination for travellers who enjoy active holidays, particularly hiking and trekking vacations. Its natural diversity includes tropical rainforests, cerrado savannahs, Atlantic forest, highland plateaus, coastal mountain ranges and expansive dune fields. These regions offer opportunities for multi-day treks that appeal to both experienced hikers and those seeking guided adventures. Brazil’s trekking routes often pass through remote areas where you can engage directly with the natural environment and, in some cases, with local or Indigenous communities.

National parks such as Chapada Diamantina, Chapada dos Veadeiros, Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos, are well known for their hiking trails and waterfalls, while unique geological formations like Monte Roraima or the sand dunes of Lençóis Maranhenses offer trekking experiences found nowhere else. This guide outlines some of the most adventurous and unique multi-day hikes in Brazil.

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Here are the 8 best multi-day trekking vacations in Brazil

Before you embark on any hiking trips in Brazil, make sure you download offline maps on Maps.Me. This is the most reliable resource for hiking, especially on the majority of Brazil's trails where you will not have phone signal

The Travessia do Vale do Pati in Chapada Diamantina

Number of days: 3-5 days

Distance: 45 kilometres / 28 miles for the 3 day hike, with longer treks available

Guide required: Yes

The 3-day Vale do Pati hike in Chapada Diamantina, located inland in Bahia, begins with a drive from Lençóis to Guiné, the main trailhead for this version of the route. From Guiné, the hike crosses varied terrain including cerrado vegetation, forest sections, and open highland areas before descending into the Pati Valley. On the first day, hikers follow a route toward key viewpoints overlooking the valley before reaching a local house (rancho) for overnight stay. On the second day, the trail passes through the valley floor, continuing toward Morro do Castelo, a large rock formation that offers a wide view of surrounding valleys and the upper basin of Cachoeira do Calixto.

The third day involves a climb to the top of Cachoeirão por Cima, a 280-metre waterfall, with a rest stop at a nearby swimming spot. The trek concludes with a hike to Vale do Capão, where transfer back to town is arranged. Accommodation throughout the hike is in local houses maintained by resident families, and meals are prepared by the hosts.

This route follows a one-way west-to-east crossing between Guiné and Capão, one of the most used variants of the Vale do Pati trek. Additional days in the valley can be added to reach other sites and waterfalls.

The Petrópolis-Teresópolis Crossing in Serra dos Órgãos

Number of days: 3-4

Distance: 28.2 kilometres / 17.5 miles one way

Guide required: No, but recommended

Trail map: Available

The Petrópolis-Teresópolis crossing is a popular multi-day hike through Serra dos Órgãos National Park in Rio de Janeiro State, and is considered a classic route in Brazilian mountaineering. The trail starts at the Petrópolis entrance and ascends through forest to high-altitude grasslands, with a steep initial climb along the Izabeloca section. Day 1 ends at the well-equipped Açu shelter, near the rock formation known as Castelo do Açu. On Day 2, the route continues across high mountain terrain to the Pedra do Sino shelter, passing key features like the Elevador (a ferrata with metal rungs), Mergulho (a steep stone slab descent), and the Cavalinho, a narrow exposed rock crossing requiring a harness and rope for safety. This section includes views of prominent peaks such as Dedo de Deus and Agulha do Diabo, and distant views of the Guanabara Bay and Rio de Janeiro. The final day involves a continuous descent through forest trails and stone-paved sections to the Teresópolis park entrance.

The full route is well-established but includes exposed and technically demanding segments requiring caution and navigation skills. Overnight stays are in mountain shelters (Abrigo Açu and Abrigo 4), which must be reserved in advance. The trail is regulated by the park authority, and advance booking is required via the official PARNASO website.

Sete Quedas - Chapada dos Veadeiros

Number of days: 2-3

Distance: 47.5 kilometre / 29.5 mile round trip

Guide required: No

Trail map: Available

The Travessia das Sete Quedas is a designated hiking route within the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park, in Goiás. The trail begins by following the same path as the Cânions and Cachoeiras das Cariocas route, marked by red arrows, for the first four kilometres. At this point, the trail splits and the Sete Quedas crossing continues for another 1.5 kilometres to reach Cânion I, the first contact with the Rio Preto. After a further two kilometres, hikers reach the Poço da Capivara, which is used for the first river crossing and is also a common spot for rest and swimming.

From there, the trail runs nine kilometres through a mix of open grasslands, rocky highland fields, and typical cerrado vegetation until arriving at the official Sete Quedas campsite, located near a series of waterfalls. The second river crossing occurs shortly after the campsite. The final six kilometres include steep and rocky terrain, descending to the trail endpoint at the GO-239 highway. The trail is well marked with red and orange arrows and is designed to be completed in one to three days, depending on pace and overnight plans. Camping is only permitted at the designated Sete Quedas site, and hikers must carry all required equipment and supplies, as there are no facilities along the route.

Travessia Altamira x Serra do Cipó in Minas Gerais

Number of days: 2

Distance: 39 kilometres / 24.3 miles

Guide required: No

Trail map: Available

The Altamira to Serra do Cipó crossing is a two-day trek through the Serra do Cipó National Park in Minas Gerais, originally conceived as part of a planned circuit linking key sites such as Cachoeira da Farofa, Cânion Bandeirinhas and Cachoeira Braúnas. The trail begins with a 7.5 kilometre walk along rural roads from Altamira to the official trailhead. From there, it climbs through forest and over the Serra da Mutuca, reaching the trek’s highest point at 1,465 metres. After descending into the Ribeirão Bandeirinha valley, the route continues through grasslands and uneven rocky sections toward Cachoeira Braúnas. The campsite near the waterfall is limited in space and quality due to rocky ground and vegetation.

On the second day, the trail climbs steeply from the pool at Braúnas to high plains above the waterfall, then follows an intermittent and mostly unmarked route across open fields, rock outcrops, and shallow streams. After intersecting the established Currais - Farofa trail, the route descends through cerrado vegetation to the Rio da Bocaina and continues to the village of Serra do Cipó. The hike requires navigational skills, as long stretches are off-trail or follow indistinct cattle paths, and is recommended only in the dry season due to multiple water crossings. There are no shelters or services along the route, and hikers must be fully self-sufficient.

Atins to Santo Amaro - Sand Dune Trekking in Lençóis Maranhenses

Number of days: 3 to 4 days

Distance: Around 48km / 30 miles, depending on the route taken

Guide required: Yes

This trek traverses the sand dunes and lagoons of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park in Maranhão, starting at the town of Atins and ending in Santo Amaro. The journey is offered for a period of three to six days, and the distance depends on the route taken, attractions visited, and and the number of days.

Camp accommodation is the main option, either in tents or simple shelters in small local communities. Due to the challenging terrain and protected status of the park, hiring a local guide is mandatory. Guides assist with route-finding and ensure compliance with park regulations.

The Monte Roraima Summit Trek in Roraima

Number of days: Minimum 6 days

Distance: 68 kilometres / 42.3 miles round trip

Guide required: Yes

Trail map: Available

The Monte Roraima trek is around 70 kilometres round trip, generally taking six to seven days. Starting from the Venezuela side of the border, this is a challenging climb to the summit of a tepui on the Brazil-Venezuela-Guyana border. Accommodation is camping at designated sites along the trail. Hiring an experienced guide is mandatory due to complex terrain, the remote location, and border regulations.

There is no trail beginning on the Guyana or Brazil sides of the mountain, and the sheer cliffs on these sides can only be climbed by highly experienced climbers. However, trekking tours to Monte Roraima can be organised from Boa Vista on the Brazilian side, and help to facilitate the border crossing between Brazil and Venezuela.

Circumnavigate the island of Ilha Grande

Number of days: Minimum 3 days, but commonly done over 5-7 days

Distance: Minimum of 66.5 kilometres / 41 miles to circumnavigate the island. Optionally, up to 83+ kilometres / 51.5 miles if taking additional round-trip hikes to reach the tips of some of the island's peninsulas.

Guide required: No

Trail maps: See the map for the full circuit, or separate trail maps of each stage of the hike including the optional additional hikes

The 6-day coastal trek on Ilha Grande, off the coast of Rio de Janeiro state, covers the island's south and west coast through a series of connected beaches, trails, and small villages. Hikers typically begin and end in Vila do Abraão, the island's main town. The trek includes stops at Bananal, Araçatiba, Aventureiro, and Parnaioca, with accommodation available at local lodges and camp sites. The route passes through preserved Atlantic Forest, beaches, viewpoints, and small caiçara communities, with opportunities for swimming, snorkelling, and learning about local culture.

While most segments follow marked trails, some sections are contingent on park permissions, particularly the crossing through the Sul Biological Reserve. A guide is not strictly required but is often used for logistics.

Trekking in the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest

Number of days: Various multi-day Amazon treks are available, usually lasting 3-7 days

Guide required: Yes

Trekking in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest is not based on fixed or marked trails but rather on flexible routes planned by local guides, often depending on the lodge's location, the season, and weather conditions. There is no single, standardised trail network in the Amazon; instead, guides rely on local knowledge.  The terrain is shaped by the seasonal rise and fall of rivers, which means that some paths become inaccessible or submerged during the wet season, while others only appear in the dry months. Treks for tourists typically last three to seven days.

Trekking in the Amazon is typically a more immersive experience than typical mountain treks. Trips may include sections of canoeing, wildlife observation, and survival training such as making shelter, identifying edible plants, and using local navigation techniques. Accommodation while trekking is usually in hammocks set up in simple campsites, or at indigenous or riverine community locations. It is also possible to take day-hikes from eco-lodges if you prefer more established accommodations.

Booking treks through eco-lodges or local guides is essential. If your schedule allows for flexibility, it is more cost effective to make arrangements when you arrive in Manaus or Novo Airao, rather than booking in advance online. Because of the terrain, wildlife, and logistical challenges, it is mandatory to hire local guides for treks in the Amazon region.

More resources for planning your trip

• Find cheap bus, ferry, and private transfer tickets on Bookaway, where you can make reservations ahead of time from abroad. For more information on traveling by bus, read my full guide to taking long-distance busses in Brazil.

• Book your accommodation on Booking.com, with thousands of options ranging from luxury hotels to budget-friendly backpacker hostels, there's something for everyone

• Don't forget to read my packing check-list for Brazil

• Finally, read this post to find out 10 things you should do before you travel to Brazil!

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