Opinion – É Logo Ali: Choose your path to the highest point in the capital of São Paulo

If someone wants to test their limits in the city of São Paulo before taking a risk on a rural adventure, the Parque Estadual do Jaraguá is a great choice. Located 23 kilometers from Praça da Sé, downtown São Paulo, in the neighborhood of Vila Chica Luiza, a few meters from a Guarani indigenous village, it is served by several bus lines and admission is free. And better: it offers a very reasonable service infrastructure for the visitor, from drinking fountains to restrooms, passing by açaí, ice cream and coconut water stalls at the base of the Jaraguá peak, with 1,135 meters of altitude. Whether the reader is an apartment canary or a root hiker, quite a stimulus, go for it.

The name Jaraguá comes from Tupi and means “Lord of the valleys”. And the entire valley around it can be seen from above, at the feet of two antennas, shared by TVs Globo, Bandeirantes and Cultura. You can even climb to the foot of the antennas, installed exactly at the peak, officially the highest point in the city of São Paulo, but it is always good to warn that the staircase has 242 concrete steps, without shade. In summer, a blazing sun. In winter, a wind of respect. Will you face it? It’s worth the try.

But the most charming thing about the park are its trails, with different degrees of difficulty. With 491.98 hectares of environmental preservation area, it has been considered a World Heritage Site by Unesco since 1994 for housing one of the last areas of Atlantic Forest in the metropolitan region. It is common to come across coatis that stroll peacefully along the paths, oblivious to passersby and even posing for photos, disputing flashes with capuchin monkeys and toucans. But beware: no feeding the animals! And please hold on to unsuspecting children and adults: trying to “pet” a wild animal could end up in the ER.

Let’s get back to the trails.

The most popular, the Pai Zé Trail, is also classified as the most difficult. With 3,600 meters of uneven and steep terrain, very slippery after rainy days, it received 500,030 visitors in 2019, the last statistic available before the end of the world, I mean, the new coronavirus pandemic, which closed the park to the public for months on end. Despite demanding a lot from the legs and, in some cases, from the hands as extra support to avoid falling (a hiking pole is an excellent help in some parts), it is a path that follows almost entirely in the shade of the dense and fresh forest. For those who are out of breath, there are plenty of stones along the way to take a break. Oh, and it’s good manners to say good morning and good afternoon to those who cross our path. Even if sometimes the shortness of breath makes the greeting sound more like a grumble. Everyone understands, call no.

More easy are the Silêncio Trail, with just under 2 kilometers and a little slope, and the Bica Trail, classified as moderate difficulty, and which leads, as the name implies, to a fresh water spout. For those who go by bicycle, car, or don’t want to know about suffocation, the Estrada Turística do Jaraguá offers about 4.6 kilometers of asphalt to the base of the peak. In other words, there is a tour option for every visitor profile.

“Our main differential is the opportunity of direct contact with the flora and fauna, PE Jaraguá is an important space for contemplation of nature and an excellent area for walking, cycling and running”, says Gustavo Lopes do Espírito Santo, manager of unity. Not at all, no, but he’s absolutely right. Who are we going?

Service

Opening hours: from 7 am to 5 pm, Tuesday to Sunday

tickets: free entrance

Address – Rua Antônio Cardoso Nogueira, 539, Vila Chica Luiza, São Paulo