Morro do Canal

Morro do Canal, or Canal Hill, is the first (or last, but usually the first) summit of the famous Alfa-Omega traverse, of Marumbi massif, Paraná, Brazil. Very easy for 2 reasons, because this is the first mountain on the run and because the altitude gain for it isn’t a big deal, just around 400m. (around 1300ft of elevation gain).

When I was in Curitiba to visit my friend and hiking partner Pedro Hauck, we did it in the night in just 45 minutes. I was sick, already with leukemia, but I didn’t knew at the time. Recovering from a very recent pneumonia, still taking some pills for it, a little bit slow but over all, we were faster than most people that hike Morro do Canal, since this is a very popular mountain after all.

The mountain Canal is located in Piraquara county aprox 35 kms away from Curitiba, and as I said before, is the last summit of Marumbi Massif, which is part of the Marumbi Peak, Morro do Vigia among others. It has an altitude of 1.340 meters above sea level, not very impressive and even for brazilian mountains, very small. The trail is very well marked, it usually takes up to 1,5 hours to reach its summit. It provides a panoramic view of Paranaguá and Antonina cities, and the dam of Cayugava.

Getting There

Coming from Curitiba take the BR277 towards the coast, before the toll square there is a large scale for trucks, an old post of Federal Highway Police. In the other side of the road it starts the dirt road. Just before it make the return and enter the toll road that indicates “Caminho Trentino”.

Later, at the "T" junction, take the right. Later, at another junction, follow the signs that say “Chácara Santa Bárbara”, soon, take a left turn. After two steep sections of the dirt road, another junction  appears, with a sign in a big and gorgeous Araucaria Tree  indicating the way to Morro do Canal to the right.

Route

Very easy, very well marked, you can't miss it...Here's some sat views to get you goin'

Images

View Morro do Canal Image Gallery - 6 Images