Vale Da Lua (Valley of the Moon)

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · River/Creek · Swimming · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

An easy run to see some out-of-this-world landscape with nice swimming holes! A short section of the trail will remind you of the movie Gladiator.

Bring cash to pay for the entrance fee of R$20-25 per person. Don't visit on a rainy day. There is not too much shade so bring a hat and sunscreen if you plan to stay there for a while. Do not forget to bring your camera! Trekking poles are not needed.

This is an easy and pretty well-maintained trail to get to some wonderful and interesting landscape and swimming holes! Vale Da Lua means "Valley of the Moon". The name describes the smooth rocks that have been carved by water and lava flows.

Just like many runs in/near Chapada Dos Veadeiros National Park, there are a lot of plants and flowers along the whole trail (in mid-May). The trail leads you to a wooden bridge after a few minutes from the trailhead that is easily located right next to the parking lot. There is a section after the bridge that has some dense and beautiful tall wheatgrass with light pink flowers along both sides of the trail; "Dang this makes me feel like I'm in the movie Gladiator", said my boyfriend.

After walking for about five minutes, the trail opens up on the right so you see the charming mountain ranges. Continue for a few minutes further, and you'll arrive at Vale Da Lua. One must be careful when running on the uneven rocks. Run down further to the right to find a few swimming holes to refresh yourself! The water was a little bit chilly. You can also exit near the last pool and make a small loop back to the trail.

We saw a bunch of lizards during our short run. There were also a lot of wildflowers.