By Kyle Hedlund
About 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of São Paulo towards the baixada santista you‘ll find a place called Caminhos Do Mar-Pólo Ecoturístico. Part of the Mata Atlântica (Atlantic Forest), this area overlooking the coastal plain near Santos is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Taking a 4-hour hiking trip along the old road to Santos through the park reveals an interesting slice of São Paulo‘s history and gives you a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle. It‘s an 8km guided walk along a paved road through the forest, downhill all the way (a bus waits at the bottom to bring you and your tired legs back up).
While the peace and quiet of the forest was interrupted by a herd of wild human animals the day we took the tour, our guides assured us these obnoxious beasts were rarely sighted in the local area. Happily, they weren‘t loud enough for us to miss the history lesson. The trip became what it is today because of former president Washington Luís, who ordered the building of a series of monuments in strategic places along the route so that people could enjoy the view and also learn more about São Paulo‘s history in the centenary of Brazilian independence (1822-1922). These monuments are the stopping points today for food breaks (bring your own water and grub) and information.
The tour is limited to 20 people at a time, and reservations must be made well in advance. Groups of up to three people can go for free, while larger crews pay R$3,00 per person for the booking. The money is used to help take care of the forest, animals, and park infrastructure. Guides explain all about the monuments, the history, the ecology, and the technological details behind the Henry Borden Hydroelectric Complex, built there in early 1920. Everything‘s done in Portuguese, though our guides seemed willing to give English a go in short bursts.
Tours run Tuesdays through Sundays between 8:30am and 4:30pm. It‘s possible to organize bike tours, private groups, seminars, or other events providing you arrange everything in advance.
Call (13) 3372-3307 for information and reservations (note the 13 area code).
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