A hiking adventure in Corupá
October 1, 2013
Corupá is a small city with a population of around 13,000 in the state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil.
My travel tip is a walking tour along an old mountain railroad that starts in a small town called Corupá settled in the backcountry of Santa Catarina, a state in southern Brazil.
The Serra do Mar is a 1,500 km long mountain range in southeastern Brazil. These days there are a lot of freight trains that travel though here but at the beginning of the 20th century there was just an old steam locomotive. Because of the steep grade in the mountains, the railroad curves and winds its way high up to the top. The original tunnels and the rails are still preserved today. The line’s intricate winding path has earned it the name Rabo do Macaco, which means "the monkey’s tail". What a feat of engineering!
You can have a great hiking experience and see this route in its entirety. I should mention that those of you with a fear of heights might want to think twice. The path goes across a viaduct that is 40 meters long with an edge that drops off 20 meters. And when you go through a tunnel be sure to pay attention – freight trains are still active on this line.
Still, the breathtaking natural beauty spread out along the way and the unique route following an old train line combine to make this trip a really special experience. Those who choose to accept the challenge will remember it fondly forever!
Sent in by: Mônica from Brazil
Edited by: Kerstin Boljahn