One of the most sought after trails by Brazilian hikers, the Transmantiqueira, faces the challenge of completing the demarcation of the almost 1,200 kilometers that were assigned to it in the project that began to be thought of in the 1980s, but which only started to get off the ground at the end. So far, only 400 kilometers have been signaled — but they include some of the most desired destinations for trekkers in the country, such as Pedra da Mina, the fourth highest mountain in Brazil, with its 2,798 m altitude, on the border of the states of São Paulo and Minas Gerais, and the Itatiaia National Park, in Rio de Janeiro.
Transmantiqueira, in fact, begins in the city of São Paulo, in the former Horto Florestal, today Alberto Löfgren State Park, which, even though it is not yet the mountain range, was designed to meet the large flow of people who live in the largest metropolitan region of the country. . In other words, the hiker can leave the house with his backpack and start his journey right there.
From Horto, the trail crosses the Cantareira State Park, the Pedra Grande National Monument and goes to the foot of the Serra do Lopo, where Mantiqueira actually begins to live up to its name. From there, it goes to Aiuruoca (MG), in Serra do Papagaio Park, where the path divides in two.
On the west branch, the trail continues to the Ibitipoca State Park, in Minas Gerais, and ends at the famous Janela do Céu. Heading north, the trail continues to Itumirim (MG), the end of the route, passing through Chapada das Perdizes and Carrancas.
The demarcation of the Transmantiqueira, like any long-distance trail, is not a simple operation. Basically, it would just be a matter of walking along its route and signaling, with the registered trademarks and homologated by the ICMBio Trail Signaling Manual. But nothing is that simple. The work is mainly done by volunteers who, armed with stencils, paints, plates and brushes, detect the best points to leave marks, in order to offer greater safety to the user. This requires patience, knowledge of the area and a lot of care so that the brand is very clear and in view of the future visitor.
“The demarcation work is divided into four fronts”, explains Hugo de Castro, president of the Brazilian Trail Network and general coordinator of the Transmantiqueira Trail. Specialist in environmental projects, mountaineer, photographer and author of books related to the subject, he regrets that the signaling process, which is the most visible and hard-working part, had to be interrupted since the beginning of the pandemic. The platoon that gathered about 600 volunteers before the coronavirus disrupted the life of the planet needs to be mobilized again, as well as the work of registering support points for walkers, with the identification of inns, restaurants and other services that can facilitate the trip. .
Another more complex front is the one that needs to seek authorization for the trails to pass through private properties, municipal areas and conservation units. Although it is the most bureaucratic, Castro says it was the one that advanced the most during the pandemic. “Practically all municipalities and conservation units have already given their consent. The biggest obstacle is still the owners of private areas”, he explains. It doesn’t come as a surprise, let’s face it.
The institutional front is also doing reasonably well. “Transmantiqueira plays a leading role in the Destination Mantiqueira Project of the Ministry of Tourism, which aims to promote the territory of the mountains, give greater visibility to the region and transform it into one of the most important destinations in the country, with international visibility”, adds Castro.
Although the signage seeks to be as clear and conspicuous as possible, it is important to remember that longer and possibly more arduous routes, such as the Serra Fina, which also requires more user experience, recommend hiring registered guides who know the region well. and their perrengues. Contacts in key municipalities can be found on the Transmantiqueira Trail website, as well as detailed information about each stretch and its care.
Why the araucaria?
Along the already demarcated area, which includes areas of Campos do Jordão State Park, Travessia do Carrasco, Marins to Itaguaré, Pedra do Picu, Itatiaia National Park, Visconde de Mauá and Ibitipoca, the trekker will find arrows indicating the way. The model follows the one used for centuries on the most important international trails, such as the Camino de Santiago, in Spain, with its 800 kilometers or the American record holder Appalachian, with about 3,200 kilometers. They can be painted on trees, rocks or road corners, pointing out the way to go and what to avoid. And, yes, every care is taken to avoid maximum impact on protected species.
Close to points of greater tourist interest or natural monuments, there are more descriptive signs and indications, following the same visual pattern: a footprint with a yellow background and a drawing of an araucaria in black (or yellow drawing on a black background for the opposite direction of the trail). ).
The choice of the araucaria, a species that was once abundant in the Mantiqueira biome and today is part of the list of species threatened with extreme extinction, is linked to one of the main vectors of the demarcation of the trail: the protection of the environment allied to the generation of employment and preservation of regional cultures.
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