In Estância Velha, a preserved vegetation relic and a self-guided cycling route offer different ways to discover the area. The Reserva Ecológica Leopoldo Alberto Baeckel stretches for 680 metres; the Circuito de Cicloturismo da Rota Romântica passes through Estância Velha and is 355 kilometres long in total.
Nature, Cycling Route and Walks
The Reserva Ecológica Leopoldo Alberto Baeckel is also known as “Matinho da Prefeitura.” At 680 metres, it preserves a relic of the region’s original vegetation. Along the trail, you can learn about important trees. The focus here is on the preserved vegetation and the trees along the trail—a clearly defined nature experience in Estância Velha.
The Circuito de Cicloturismo da Rota Romântica is designed for bicycles and is self-guided. It runs along side roads and mostly unpaved roads, passes through Estância Velha, and covers 14 cities in total. The stated distance of 355 kilometres applies to the entire Circuito; the section through the town is part of this longer route. As the organiser may update the route, check the current itinerary before setting out.
Estância Velha’s Caminhódromo is often used for walks in the early morning or late afternoon. This provides a separate option for walking alongside the cycling route: these times of day are cited as common usage times for the Caminhódromo. The information distinguishes the local paths by their use, without equating the cycling route’s total length with a walk.
Chapel and the History of Technology
A small chapel next to the Paróquia Sagrado Coração de Jesus has been preserved to this day. Another point of interest in local history is the Centro Tecnológico do Couro - Senai. These two places represent different themes: religious heritage and the development of leather technology.
The Centro Tecnológico do Couro - Senai was founded on 5 May 1965. Its purpose was to adapt leather production technology to Brazilian conditions. Its founding date and stated purpose give the site a specific historical context. Together with the preserved chapel, this adds local cultural and technological history to the range of experiences beyond nature and outdoor activities.
If you are looking for holiday rentals, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your trip: nature along the Reserva trail, cycling on the Circuito, walks at the Caminhódromo, or local cultural history. This way, you can narrow down Estância Velha according to your interests and then search more specifically for accommodation.
Rio Grande do Sul: a wider landscape setting
The wider destination of Rio Grande do Sul also offers other types of landscapes. At Parque Estadual de Itapuã, Praia das Pombas and Praia da Pedreira are open to visitors; each beach has a daily limit of 350 people. Check the restrictions before visiting. At Cânion Fortaleza, Trilha do Mirante offers views of the canyon and, in clear weather, part of the Rio Grande do Sul coastline.
At Cânion Itaimbezinho, the upper trails, Trilha do Vértice and Trilha do Cotovelo, cover 5 to 9 kilometres through Araucaria forest and highland grassland to viewpoints and picnic areas. Trilha do Rio do Boi is 8 to 10 kilometres long and leads through Atlantic rainforest and riparian forest, along the canyon slope and stones on the riverbank, and through a river. The route descriptions highlight different features: the upper trails are noted for their viewpoints and picnic areas, while Rio do Boi features forest, a canyon slope and a river. This makes it possible to compare regional options based on specific route features.
Discover more destinations: Arroio dos Ratos, Frederico Westphalen, Cambará do Sul, São Jerônimo, Rodeio Bonito, Porto Alegre, Guaíba, Santa Vitória do Palmar.
Back to the main travel overview: Rio Grande Do Sul.
