FALLS TRAIL
A trail amidst the Atlantic Forest leads us to a 46 meter high waterfall, known by the local caiçaras as the Queda waterfall, and is a tempting opportunity for a delightful dip in cool water. The water flows strongly along a large, imposing rock face, forming
a crystalline pool beneath it. Queda Falls, visible from the sea, is of enormous importance to Canto do Ribeirão village for the water it supplies them, one of the main communities in Castelhanos Bay. Our trail starts precisely in the caiçara village
of Canto do Ribeirão, where we can see the mud and bamboo houses, a typical model of construction dating from the ancient caiçaras, who use only the local and ecological resources that are available to them. We continue along the trail passing
by the Castelhanos cemetery, then by footbridge, we cross over a few streams and a river, pass by small Poço Gordo falls until we reach the large Queda falls.
​
Importante: A Queda está aberta provisoriamente somente para fotografias.
Level of Difficulty - average | 3 km return
Departure - 8am
​
Duration - 3h (2h walking)
​
Meeting Point – in front Rancho da Lagoa
​
Reservations – are made via Reservation Center
Gato Beach is tiny, hardly visited beach located north of Castelhanos Bay and situated amidst large boulders, coarse sand and many sea shells. From Gato Scenic Point a beautiful view of the surrounding islands and often fishermen’s canoes can
be seen coming and going from the fish nets set in Castelhanos Bay.
Our trail starts at the caiçara village at Canto do Ribeirão, in the extreme north of Castelhanos Bay, passing by the traditional Canto do Ribeirão community, formed by the decadence of the economic cycles exporting sugar cane, coffee and bananas. We
follow a short trail to Gato Scenic Point, where we can obtain a panoramic view of Castelhanos Bay and surroundings. Our hike ends at the uninhabited Gato Beach, recommended for snorkeling. Attractions on this trail include the caiçara Canto do
Ribeirão village, a centuries–old Fichus Tree and a Bamboo Bridge that leads to Gato Beach.
GATO BEACH AND SCENIC POINT
Difficulty level - easy | 3.6 km return
Departures - 8 am
​
Duration - 3h (2h hike)
​
Meeting point – in front of Lagoa Boathouse
​
Reservations – are made via Reservation Center
​
Snack kit - optional
MANSA AND VERMELHA TRAILS - LAND AND SEA
Level of difficulty - average | Return by sea: 2 km. Return on land: 4km return
The trails to Mansa and Vermelha Beaches start at Canto da Lagoa on Castelhanos Beach and are accessed both by trail and sea. These routes are constantly used by the community inhabitants, and are of extreme importance for local communication
and as an access for the children to one of the schools in the Bay, situated at Mansa Beach. Our trail starts at Castelhanos Beach heading towards the communities at Mansa and Vermelha beaches. The trail runs at times through the forest, at other
moments in open areas, with breathtaking views of the bay. The first stop is at Mansa Beach, where we can savor a delicious breakfast (optional – only for those who return by sea), prepared with local ingredients and products. Next we visit
Mansa viewpoint, the manioc flour-making house, Dona Adelaide’s farmstead at Vermelha Beach and the Heart viewpoint.
Return by sea – The return can be in small power launches or caiçara canoes in a 30 minute trip providing a beautiful view of the scenery and the experience navigating in dugout canoes made out of single tree trunks. Lunch (optional) may be served in
one of the local restaurants on Castelhanos Beach.
Return on land – Another option is returning along the trail, following the same route taken before, but gaining rights to a detour terminating the itinerary with one of the best views of Castelhanos Beach, the "Mirante do Coração", Heart Scenic point. The hike terminates with a delicious homemade lunch (optional) at Mansa Beach, prepared with seafood and local resources.
Departure - 8am
​
Duration – Return by sea: 3h (1h walking) | Return on land: 4h (2h walking)
​
Meeting Point – in front of Rancho da Lagoa
​
Reservations – are made via Reservation Center
​
Snack kit - optional
FIGUEIRA TRAIL - LAND AND SEA
Level of difficulty - high
Return by sea: 4.5 km.
Return on land: 4km return
Figueira Beach is inside the area of Ilhabela State Park and houses a traditional caiçara community. It possesses archeological sites in a unique landscape, formed of small houses and plenty of green and blue hues. Its waters are recommended for
snorkeling.
The trail starts at Castelhanos Beach, passes by Praia Mansa and Praia Vermelha communities. The trail runs at times through the forest, at other moments in open areas, with breathtaking views of the Bay. Our first stop is at Praia Mansa for a
caiçara breakfast (optional – only when returning by sea), prepared with local ingredients and plenty of creativity. Attractions on this itinerary are the Ingá Folha de Rama (tree), and the Mansa and Heart scenic views.
Return by sea – The return can be in small power launches or caiçara canoes in a 30 minute trip providing a beautiful view of the scenery and the experience of navigating in dugout canoes made out of single tree trunks. Lunch (optional) may be
served in one of the local restaurants on Castelhanos Beach.
Return on land – Another option is returning along the trail, following the same route taken before, but gaining rights to a detour terminating the itinerary with one of the best views of Castelhanos Beach, the "Mirante do Coração", Heart Scenic point. The hike terminates with a delicious homemade lunch (optional) at Mansa Beach, prepared with seafood and local resources.
Departure - 8am
​
Duration – Return by sea: 5h30 (3h walking) | Return on land: 8h (6h walking)
​
Meeting point – in front of Rancho da Lagoa
​
Minimum age recommended - 15 years of age
​
Reservations - via Reservation Center
​
Snack kit - optional
HISTORICAL TOUR
Level of difficulty - Low
Castelhanos Bay has been the scenario for several important historical events through which the caiçara community adapted itself with each transformation and established its roots.
Our historical tour visits places that are a part of the caiçara memory, where ruins of archeological sites still exist and permit us to relive the history of how life was there then.
There are ruins of two sugar cane mills that mark different moments in the history of the sugar cane cycle: Engenho Velho, ‘Old Mill’, of the first cycle, built of stones, crushed shells, sand and whale oil; and Engenho do Reale, ‘Reale Mill’, of the second
sugar cane cycle, which produced cachaça called Favorita: this mill was built of adobe bricks. There also are ruins of a colonial period church, of which we can see a part of the foundations built of stones, crushed shells and whale oil, with dimensions
comparable to those of Ilhabela’s village main church.
In addition there is a cemetery in which, in addition to ancient remains dating from the time of the Indians and slaves, can be seen the graves of long past inhabitants, relatives of the present time dwellers, who recount their history.
A reminder to those who visit: these are important archeological sites for Ilhabela, and of history that continues alive, creating a new chapter that is being written by the community!
Departures - 8am
​
Duration - 2hrs walking (including stops)
​
Meeting Point- Canto do Lagoa
​
Reservations - via Reservation center
Condições de cancelamento – a possibilidade do passeio é verificada no momento do agendamento. Caso as condições meteorológicas não permitam o acesso à Praia de Castelhanos, a política de cancelamento será aplicada.
Restrições – mulheres grávidas, com estado de saúde delicado, pessoas com deficiência, mobilidade reduzida e pessoas que não sabem nadar (para roteiros com barco).
​
Idade mínima indicada - acima de 6 anos.
​
O que levar – protetor solar, repelente, água, chapéu, tênis ou bota para caminhada, camiseta manga longa e mochila pequena.
​
Podem ser oferecidos café da manhã e almoço nesse roteiro, sob agendamento. O cardápio será disponibilizado sob consulta e os ingredientes estão sujeitos a sazonalidade. As refeições não estão incluídas no valor do roteiro.
​
Está incluído no valor, seguro passageiro para as atividades nas trilhas, visita ao cerco e passeio de barco e canoa.​