Southern Brazil: Falls to Canyons 14-Day Overland

Journey south from Iguazu through Curitiba, German-heritage valleys, coastal islands, and high plateaus, ending at the southern canyons and mountain towns.

This long, one-way route connects the three states of Southern Brazil: start with Iguazu Falls, fly to Curitiba for a scenic train ride, then drive through Blumenau, Florianópolis, the Santa Catarina highlands, and the Serra do Rio do Rastro, finishing at the canyons and Gramado. It involves several driving days and skips the wine region to save time, making it ideal for road trippers with plenty of time.

The highlands experience frost, ice, and snow in winter, and mountain roads can be very foggy; spring and autumn offer safer driving conditions.

Day by day

Day 1 · Arrival & Brazilian Side Falls

Iguazu Falls（Brazilian Side Panoramic Trail (Trilha das Cataratas)、Parque das Aves (Bird Park)）

Fly into Foz and take a bus or taxi to Av. das Cataratas (approx. 20 minutes). Spend the afternoon visiting the falls and the Bird Park.

You must arrive on an early morning flight to fit both sights into the same day.

Stay: Avenida das Cataratas

Day 2 · Full Day on Argentine Side

Iguazu Falls（Devil's Throat (Garganta del Diablo)、Upper Circuit / Lower Circuit）

Take a private transfer or cross-border bus to the Argentine park (approx. 1 hour). Ride the ecological train and explore on foot, returning in the evening.

Bring your passport and confirm Argentine entry requirements in advance.

Stay: Avenida das Cataratas

Day 3 · Fly to Curitiba & Old Town

Curitiba（Oscar Niemeyer Museum、Largo da Ordem Historic Center）

Fly to Curitiba in the morning (approx. 1.5 hours), take a taxi to the city center (approx. 40 minutes), and spend the afternoon visiting museums and the Old Town.

Stay: Praça Osório and São Francisco

Day 4 · Serra Verde Express to Morretes

Curitiba（Serra Verde Express、Morretes、Estrada da Graciosa）

Take the train at 8:30 AM to Morretes (approx. 4.5 hours). In the afternoon, return to the city by tourist van via the historic Estrada da Graciosa.

The train does not run daily; secure your train tickets before planning the surrounding days.

Stay: Praça Osório and São Francisco

Day 5 · Drive to German Heritage Valley

Blumenau（Rota do Enxaimel、Pomerode）

Pick up the car and drive via BR-101 to Pomerode (approx. 3.5 hours). Explore the Route of Half-Timbered Houses in the afternoon, and reach Blumenau by evening.

Confirm one-way car rental details, as drop-off fees usually apply.

Stay: Centro

Day 6 · Blumenau to the Island

Blumenau（Vila Germânica、Rua XV de Novembro） → Florianópolis（Lagoa da Conceição）

Explore Vila Germânica and the city center in the morning, then drive along BR-101 to Florianópolis in the afternoon (approx. 2.5 hours).

Stay: Lagoa da Conceição

Day 7 · East Coast Dunes & Beaches

Florianópolis（Joaquina Dunes、Praia da Joaquina、Praia Mole）

Take short drives from Lagoa to the dunes, Joaquina Beach, and Mole Beach (approx. 15–25 minutes one way).

Stay: Lagoa da Conceição

Day 8 · South Island Hike or Small Island Trip

Florianópolis（Pântano do Sul、Lagoinha do Leste、Ribeirão da Ilha）

Drive to Pântano do Sul (approx. 45 minutes), hike to and from Lagoinha do Leste, and return via Ribeirão da Ilha in the evening.

There are no facilities on the trail; wear non-slip shoes and avoid hiking on rainy days.

Stay: Lagoa da Conceição

Day 9 · West to the Highlands & Urubici

Urubici

Drive along BR-282 via Alfredo Wagner to Urubici (approx. 170 km, 3 hours). Drive slowly on the winding mountain roads.

Stay: Urubici

Day 10 · Morro da Igreja & Stone Cave

Morro da Igreja

Drive from Urubici to Morro da Igreja (approx. 1 hour). Spend the afternoon exploring nearby waterfalls and viewpoints, returning to town in the evening.

Access to the mountain previously required advance authorization and was subject to daily limits; confirm before setting off.

Stay: Urubici

Day 11 · Serra do Rio do Rastro to Cambará

Mirante da Serra do Rio do Rastro

Drive down the mountain pass via Bom Jardim to Lauro Müller, then take paved roads to Cambará (approx. 315 km, full day).

Watch out for large trucks taking up lanes on tight curves; do not take the unpaved shortcut via Praia Grande.

Stay: Cambará do Sul

Day 12 · Canyon Hike to Gramado

Gramado & Canela（Itaimbezinho Canyon (Aparados da Serra NP)）

Drive about 18 km on unpaved roads to the canyon area for a morning hike, then drive to Gramado in the afternoon (approx. 115 km, 2 hours).

Some sources state the park is closed on Mondays; confirm with official sources before buying tickets.

Stay: Gramado Downtown

Day 13 · Canela & Black Lake

Gramado & Canela（Catedral de Pedra (Igreja Matriz Nossa Senhora de Lourdes)、Cascata do Caracol (Parque do Caracol)、Lago Negro）

Drive to Canela and Caracol Park in the morning, and return to Gramado to visit Black Lake in the afternoon (approx. 20–30 minutes for each drive).

Stay: Gramado Downtown

Day 14 · Half Day in Gramado & Departure

Gramado & Canela（Rua Coberta、Avenida Borges de Medeiros）

Stroll along the covered street (Rua Coberta) and main street in the morning, then drive to Porto Alegre Airport in the afternoon (approx. 2 hours) to return the car and depart.

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