Urubici & Serra Catarinense
Tourism hub of the Santa Catarina highlands. Climb Igreja Hill to see the Perforated Rock, drive the Rio do Rastro mountain road, and maybe catch snow in winter.
Urubici lies in the Serra Catarinense highlands of southeastern Santa Catarina state in southern Brazil, at about 900–1,800 m elevation. It is the tourism hub of this plateau. The town sits in the Urubici River valley, surrounded by basalt tablelands, steep escarpments, and Araucaria pine forests. To the east, the Serra do Mar escarpment drops sharply to the coastal plain, creating some of the most spectacular mountain and road scenery in southern Brazil.
Highlights fall into three areas. To the southeast, São Joaquim National Park is famous for Morro da Igreja, at 1,822 m, and the Perforated Rock on the cliff opposite. On the way, you can see Véu de Noiva Falls. To the east, the Corvo Branco mountain road passes a rock cut 90 m deep. To the south, about 1 hour away, the Rio do Rastro mountain road is Brazil's most famous switchback road. Near town you will find Avencal Falls, the rock formations of Campestre Hill, and prehistoric rock art. To the north, the Espraiado Canyon requires a guided hike. Southwest of town, São Joaquim is a high-altitude region known for wine and apples.
Urubici is one of Brazil's coldest regions. Jun–Aug winter often brings frost and occasionally snow, and Brazilians chasing snow make it a popular destination, so book weekend lodging early. Mar–May autumn offers clear air and excellent views for hiking. Summer, Dec–Feb, brings afternoon thunderstorms.
Transport: from Florianópolis, it is about 2.5–3 hours by car. Public transport runs infrequently, so driving is strongly recommended. Mountain roads are often foggy, so avoid driving at night. To climb Morro da Igreja, book a time slot in advance on the national park website. Plan to stay 2–3 days. Many mountain cabin inns offer pinhão dishes, made from Araucaria pine nuts, and highland cheese.
Top sights
- Morro da Igreja & Pedra Furada – The highest point in Santa Catarina reachable by car, at 1,822 m, with a view across to the natural Pedra Furada rock arch; frost and snow…
- Serra do Rio do Rastro – Brazil's most famous mountain road, where SC-390 makes a succession of hairpin bends down a cliff with a drop of nearly 1,000 m, and a hill…
- Serra do Corvo Branco – A dramatic mountain road cut into the ridge, with a rock notch 90 m deep, where a dirt and stone road winds steeply down, making it Urubici…
- Cascata do Avencal – A 100-meter waterfall just a few kilometers from Urubici town. A viewing platform faces the falls, and visitors can ride a zipline across t…
- Cascata Véu de Noiva (Urubici) – A forest waterfall on the way to Church Mountain, where water spreads over a roughly 60 m basalt wall like a bridal veil, reached by a shor…
- Cânion do Espraiado – A spectacular canyon on the high Campo dos Padres plateau, with cliffs dropping hundreds of metres. Access requires a local guide along pri…
- Morro do Campestre – A sandstone hill northwest of Urubici with wind-carved rock pillars, caves and face-like rock formations. A short climb to the top overlook…
- Urubici Rock Inscriptions – Prehistoric carvings on a sandstone wall beside the road south of town, made of geometric lines and symbols. An important rock art site in…
- São Joaquim Wineries & Orchards – One of Brazil's coldest towns, known for high-altitude wine and apples. Nearby wineries offer tastings, and frost and snow are common in wi…
Where to eat
- Montês – One of Urubici's top-rated restaurants on TripAdvisor, beside the main church. Its signature is Brazilian pine trout.
- Manali Bistrô – A relaxed dinner bistro on Urubici's main street, serving handmade pasta, burgers and grilled trout. Many vegetarian op…