Pico da Bandeira

Overview

Pico da Bandeira is the highest mountain in Brazil's Southwest region. There are many mountains around it.
The cristal rocks that make the Caparaó's range , raise suddenly to form peaks, how Pico do Cristal ( 2798m ), Pico do Calçado ( 2766m ), Pedra Roxa Peak ( 2590m ), Cruz do Negro Peak ( 2658m ) and the highest, Pico da Bandeira with 2890m. There are a predominance of tropical forest in the scarps , and near the summits, the base vegetation is distributed by the apparent rocks. The localizations of the mountains is 70% in Espirito Santo State and 30% in Minas Gerais State. The trails are demarcated and the security is all over around the Caparaó National Park.
Pico da Bandeira is the third highest mountain in Brazil. It is located at the Brazilian Highlands, specifically at the Caparao Range. It has 2.890 meters high. It is very easy to walk up to the summit. It takes beetwen 5 to 7 hours to reach the main summit. From the top you can see, at night, the lights of 11 cities. And, with a clear sky, it is also possible to see, 200 km away, the Atlantic Ocean. A great mountain to introduce a new friend in the world of mountaineering.

Getting There

How to Arrive:
From Belo Horizonte - The Caparaó National Park is 330 km from Belo Horizonte (MG). The access from Belo Horizonte (MG) to Alto Caparaó (MG) is done integrally in asphalted highways. Leave Belo Horizonte (MG), by the highway BR-262, towards Vitória (ES), until the city of Manhuaçu (MG) (280 km from Belo Horizonte). After the entrance of Manhuaçu (MG), in BR-262, take, to the right, the highway for Manhumirim (MG) and Presidente Soares (MG). In Presidente Soares (MG), take, to the left, the highway for Alto Caparaó (MG).
From Rio de Janeiro - The Caparão National Park is 430 km from Rio de Janeiro (RJ). The access from Rio de Janeiro (RJ) to Alto Caparaó (MG) is done integrally in asphalted highways. Leave Rio de Janeiro (RJ), by the highway BR-040, towards Belo Horizonte (MG), until the city of Três Rios (RJ) (123 km from Rio de Janeiro). Take, to the right, the highway BR-116, towards Salvador (BA), until the city of Fervedouro (MG). In Fervedouro (MG), take, to the right, the highway for Carangola (MG). In Carangola (MG), take, to the left, the highway for Presidente Soares (MG). In Presidente Soares (MG), take, to the right, the highway for Alto Caparaó (MG).
From São Paulo - The Caparaó National Park is 910 km from São Paulo (SP). The access from São Paulo (SP) to Alto Caparaó (MG) is done integrally in asphalted highways. Leave São Paulo (SP), by the highway BR-381, until Belo Horizonte (MG) (586 km from São Paulo). Take, to the right, the highway BR-262, towards Vitória (ES), until the city of Manhuaçu (MG) (280 km from Belo Horizonte). After the entrance of Manhuaçu (MG), in BR-262, take, to the right, the highway for Manhumirim (MG) and Presidente Soares (MG). In Presidente Soares (MG), take, to the left, the highway to Alto Caparaó (MG).
From Vitória - The Caparaó National Park is 255 km from Vitória (ES). The access from Vitória (ES) to Alto Caparaó (MG) is done integrally in asphalted highways. Leave Vitória (ES), byr the highway BR-262, towards Belo Horizonte (MG). 15 km after the boundary of Espírito Sainto and of Minas Gerais states, in BR-262, take, to the left, the highway to Manhumirim (MG) and Presidente Soares (MG). In Presidente Soares (MG), take, to the left, the highway to Alto Caparaó (MG).
From the entrance of the park to Tronqueira ( The first campsite and the last parking car,6 km of highway in renovation), you can do with your own car or a rented jeep (rented in the city).

The Trail:
The access walk to Pico da Bandeira, for the trail of the Alto Caparaó Entrance, can be made in 4 (four) stages:
First stage: from the city of Alto Caparaó (High Caparaó) to the Alto Caparaó Entrance of the National Park of Caparaó (2 km). That dirt road course can be made by own car or rented.
Second stage: from the Entrance Alto Caparaó (entrance of the park) to Tronqueira (6 km) This partially paved highway course can be done by own car or rented. Observe the nature. Visit Vale Verde (Green Valley) - that is formed by the river Caparaó -, with natural pools and infrastructure for picnics. In Tronqueira, where you can camp, see the Beautiful Waterfall (80 m of fall), the Charmed Valley and the observatory deck.
Third stage: from Tronqueira to Terreirão (4,5 km). This well outlined trail accompanies José Preto river's valley. It can only be done on foot, or mounted in mules, that can be rented. In Terreirão, where one can camp, take a look at the Casa de Pedra (Stone House) , Pico do Cristal and Pico do Calçado.
Fourth stage: from Terreirão to Bandeira(4,5 km). This trail course is not well demarcated. It accompanies the slopes of the mountain and it can only be done on foot. A part of it (2 km) can be done riding mules, that can be rented.

MSN Mappoint - Caparaó National Park

Red Tape

The Caparaó National Park has hard rules.
Don't bring drinks; Inflamable fuel; Knives and if you do not have apropriates equipments to camp, the guards advise you of some danger.
There is no electric power nor snack bars inside of the park. Therefore, take the whole equipment that is needed, like flashlights, lanterns, stoves and food.
Only do the longest trails (mainly the one Bandeira) with an experienced guide. The trails are relatively easy, but for the unexperienced mountaineer it can become tricky, mainly after Terreirão ( 2400m ).

When To Climb

The best month in year to visit the Caparaó National Park is September. This is the month most dry. But at Spring is good, Winter excellent and Fall, I don't recomend.

Camping

There are many places to camp at Pico da Bandeira:
Vale Encantado (Charmed Valley) - it is placed in José Pedro river's valley, 1980m of altitude, above the Beautiful Waterfall. There are many natural swimming pools and waterfalls.
Tronqueira - it is the main camp of the park, with good camping infrastructure and parking area. It is also the most distant point you can reach with a car. The temperature in Tronqueira is very low, reaching, at night, -5°C. There is drinking water in Tronqueira.
Terreirão - it is an old camp, that is in renovation(july/1998). It is currently interdicted for camping. It is situated in a small plain, close to several peaks and moountains. The temperature there falls the -10°C by winter nights. It is the last place you will see water, in the ascent for the mountains.
It's forbidden to camp at the summits of Caparaó Range.
Taxes of Caparaó National Park:
US$ 3 person/day

Mountain Conditions

Current conditions for Pico da Bandeira.
Pico da bandeira forecast.
When to climb and hike
The better time of the year to visit the park is in the winter. The clear and cloudless days and the cold climate contribute to the walk.

Colorful Overviews

Great views from special places of Pico da Bandeira.

Images

View Pico da Bandeira Image Gallery - 2 Images