Monkey Trail

A Lonely Path

A Monkey Trail, as the winding road that connects Vargem Grande to Conceição Lagoon, links the regions North e East of the Island. This path, practically abandoned, was, until the end of the XNUMXth century, used by residents of Costa da Lagoa who wanted to reach the North of the Island. Many stretches, now covered by vegetation, were once used for herds of cattle and for part of the production of milled flour on the Costa mills.

To cover its entire length, from Vargem Grande to the place known as Saquinho, on the Costa da Lagoa, it takes about three hours. The trail crosses an unexplored region of dense forest and large trees. The path crosses about eight kilometers inside the native forest and travels, for the most part, along the Rio Vermelho Forest Park - an area of ​​permanent preservation supervised by the Environmental Police. This trail is not recommended for those who do not know the place. The ideal is to have a guide or someone who knows the way.

The Capuchin Monkey Refuge

To locate the beginning of the trail, from the final stop of the Vargem Grande bus, head towards the chain of hills. The entrance is 100 meters from a football field. This path is close to the last houses of the Santo Daime community. At the beginning of the route, you pass a bridge over a stream where there is a waterfall. It's just the first stop.

The walk continues through the Atlantic Forest, which in many places seems to completely erase the trail. The region is covered by a practically untouched forest, which serves as a refuge for rodents, small mammals and primates. Capuchin monkeys, the species that gave the region its name, were once more numerous, but the animal was heavily hunted and today it only appears in small flocks in the morning.

After a long walk, you come to a fork. The trail on the right leads to the community of Rio Vermelho. To get to Costa da Lagoa it is necessary to go straight ahead along the main road and only leave it when you come across a stream that leads to the Saquinho Beach, one of the most isolated places on the Costa da Lagoa, frequented only by the few residents.

To leave Saquinho, you can continue along the path towards Centrinho da Costa da Lagoa. But, after such a heavy hike, it is advisable to go to the pier where the Cooperbarco boats dock, which take you directly to the Parish of Lagoa (Centrinho da Lagoa). Close to the disembarkation point, buses from the Transol company pass, which take you to the city center.

Details

Difficulty level: hard.

Attractions: lagoon, panoramic view, Atlantic Forest, capuchin monkey, broad-snouted caiman, coati, water sources, boat trip.

Time: About 7,5 hrs in total, 4,5 hrs to go up and 3 to come down 3h

Home: Estrada Geral da Vargem Grande, close to the last houses of the Santo Daime Community

End: Costa da Lagoa, between Saquinho and Sul beaches

Main difficulty: Trail practically abandoned and with forks

How to get there: In the Santo Daime Community, just before a football field, turn right, towards Vargem Grande-Rio Vermelho

who can help: Companies of Tourist Services.

Check also the Beaches Guide.