Waterfalls, mountain peaks, Holy Week traditions and farm cuisine reveal different sides of Goncalves. This gives you several options for planning your trip: nature destinations with pools and rocky gorges, hikes with widely varying time requirements, and cultural and culinary experiences.
Waterfalls and mountain landscapes
Cachoeira das Andorinhas is located on the Rio Capivari amid dense riverside vegetation. Two main falls, about 7 m and 10 m high, form natural pools. At Cachoeira do Simão, the roughly 7 m-high waterfall on the Ribeirão Campestre first flows into a broad pool; the water then continues through a narrow gorge of vertical cliffs. The two waterfalls thus differ both in height and in the course of the water. Check current access conditions before your visit.
Pedra Bonita reaches 2,120 m and offers a 360-degree panoramic view. The hike there takes an average of seven hours and requires the company of tourist guides. Confirm the route conditions and arrangements for your guide before setting out. The hike to Pedra do Forno requires a different time commitment: it takes an average of one hour and ends near the summit at iron steps fixed into the rock. Check the trail details locally.
Pedra Chanfrada is 1,771 m high and is located in Bairro Terra Fria, 10 km from the urban area of Goncalves. From the summit, you can see Pedra do Forno, Bauzinho and Pico Agudo in Campos do Jordão. This viewpoint therefore offers a different perspective on the mountain landscape from the hikes to Pedra Bonita and Pedra do Forno.
Traditions and countryside experiences
Via Sacra da Pedra do Cruzeiro is a Holy Week tradition in Goncalves and takes place on Good Friday. The exact program may vary from year to year, so check the dates if you would like to plan your trip around this occasion. Congada São Benedito has been around for almost a century, featuring music and dance at celebrations in Goncalves. Individual performances may vary depending on the calendar.
Under the name Cultura da Roça, visitors can discover rural scenes and experiences such as wood-fired coffee, ox carts and horseback rides. Specific hands-on activities may vary by estate and season. There are several ways to explore the routes in Goncalves: on foot, on horseback, by bicycle or in four-wheel-drive vehicles. Individual routes and providers may change; check the conditions for your plans in advance.
Farm cuisine and regional products
At Restaurante Terras de Monã, visitors can tour the olive grove, sugarcane plantation and pig farm. The estate produces olive oils, cachaça and sausages. The restaurant is located on Estrada do Sertãozinho, Km 2, in Bairro Córrego da Foice in Goncalves. Visitors can also sample dishes and drinks made with fresh ingredients grown on the estate or sourced from regional producers. The restaurant’s charcuterie specializes in producing aged pork-based foods.
These options offer different schedules and appeal to different interests: a longer guided mountain hike requires different arrangements from a visit around Good Friday or a culinary stop. First decide which of these aspects of Goncalves interests you most, then check the route or program information provided for your travel dates.
Discover more destinations: Senhora Do Porto, Santa Bárbara, Furnas, Pará De Minas, Paraopeba, Patos De Minas, Passa Quatro, Belo Horizonte
For the broader travel overview: Minas Gerais.
