Caminho dos Escravos
A colonial-era stone-paved trail laid by enslaved people, winding up the hillside with views over the old town and the Serra dos Cristais.
The Slaves' Road is a section of an 18th-century royal road, hand-paved with large stone slabs by enslaved Africans. It originally linked Diamantina with Mendanha to the north and was used to transport supplies and diamonds. Today the old road is a hiking route. It starts from the north of town and climbs the hillside, where you can look back at the old town's red-tiled roofs and white walls, with rugged rocky mountains in the distance. The full round trip takes several hours, but you can walk just the first 1–2 km for the views. There is no shade on the mountain, so bring plenty of water and sun protection, and avoid going after rain, when the stones are slippery.
Opening hours
All day (daytime recommended)
Nearby sights
- Passadiço da Glória
- Igreja de São Francisco de Assis
- Mercado Velho
- Museu do Diamante
- Catedral Metropolitana de Santo Antônio
- Casa de Juscelino Kubitschek
- Rua da Quitanda & Vesperata
- Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Carmo