Vila Velha State Park
Parque Estadual de Vila Velha
Sandstone rock formations about 80 km from Curitiba, sculpted by wind and rain into 'wine glass' pillars, plus sinkholes up to 100 meters deep and a golden lake.
Vila Velha State Park lies on the Campos Gerais plateau near Ponta Grossa. Sandstone formed about 300 million years ago has been eroded by wind and rain into more than 20 oddly shaped pillars. The most famous, the 'Taça' (Wine Glass), has become a symbol of Paraná State. The park also has two sinkholes called 'Furnas,' about 50 to 100 meters deep, where an elevator takes visitors down to observation platforms at the bottom, and the Golden Lake (Lagoa Dourada), which takes on a golden hue in sunlight. Tickets are required. Shuttle buses run set routes inside the park, and the sandstone trail is about 2.5 km long. The drive from Curitiba along BR-277 takes about 1 hour 15 minutes, making it a good stand-alone day trip. The park is closed on Tuesdays.
Opening hours
Wed–Mon 08:30–17:30; closed Tuesdays
Nearby sights
- Tingui Park & Ukrainian Memorial
- Barigui Park
- Santa Felicidade
- Panoramic Tower
- Tanguá Park
- German Woods
- Free University of the Environment
- Ópera de Arame