Where to Hike in Santa Catarina: Trails Worth the Detour

Serra do Rio do Rastro and the Canyons Above Orleans

The Serra do Rio do Rastro is the state's signature drive, but the walking above it is what keeps people here an extra night. The Serra do Rio do Rastro is a mountain range and scenic road between Lauro Müller and Bom Jardim da Serra, roughly 200 kilometres south of Florianópolis by the BR-101 and SC-390, about three hours by car. Trailheads sit near the Mirante da Serra, where a short path leads to the 1,460-metre rim above the switchbacks. For a longer day, the Cânion do Rio do Rastro area offers old cattle paths across the plateau, with fog most mornings between May and August.

Bom Jardim da Serra and São Joaquim make practical bases, with pousadas in the R$180–350 range and a few comfortable hotels closer to R$400–600 in high season. Winter brings frost and occasional snow flurries; summer afternoons bring thunderstorms, so start early. The Cânion da Ronda and Cânion Laranjeiras, near the SC-390 between Bom Jardim and Praia Grande, add narrower trails along the rims. I would skip the roadside viewpoints at midday in January and February — the fog clears, but the light is flat and the wind picks up. Book a hotel in São Joaquim or Bom Jardim da Serra if you want short drives and the best chance of a clear sunrise.

Approach by car: from Florianópolis, take BR-101 south to Tubarão, then SC-370 and SC-390. Buses reach São Joaquim via Lages, but you will need a car for trail access.

Trails in and around Florianópolis

On Santa Catarina Island, the best half-day walks are in the north and east. The Trilha do Morro da Cruz, in the Trindade neighbourhood above central Florianópolis, is a short climb with views over the Hercílio Luz Bridge and Baía Sul; it is walkable from the UFSC area. On the east side, the Trilha da Lagoinha do Leste starts at Pântano do Sul and takes about two hours to a remote beach — a proper walk, not a stroll, with roots and some scrambling. Nearby, the Trilha do Morro da Coroa leaves from Barra da Lagoa and also reaches Lagoinha do Leste, with a steeper, shorter route.

For a gentler day, the Parque Municipal das Dunas da Lagoa da Conceição has sandy paths between Lagoa da Conceição and the Joaquina dunes, best in the morning before the sand heats up. Transport matters: local buses reach Barra da Lagoa, Pântano do Sul and Lagoa da Conceição, but the Morro da Coroa trailhead is a 25–30 minute walk from the Barra da Lagoa bus stop. Best months are April to June and September to November, when temperatures sit in the low-to-mid 20s and rain is less constant than in January and February. I would book a hotel in Lagoa da Conceição for trail access and restaurants, or in Centro for cheaper rates and easy bus links. Avoid the Lagoinha do Leste trail after heavy rain — the clay gets slippery.

The Serra do Tabuleiro and the Coast at Garopaba and Imbituba

South of Florianópolis, the Serra do Tabuleiro State Park covers a huge area from the coast near Palhoça inland toward São Bonifácio. The Trilha do Morro do Cambirela, accessed from Palhoça, is a steep, demanding climb to around 1,000 metres with coastal views — allow five to six hours and go with someone who knows the route. Further south, the trails around Garopaba and Imbituba link surf beaches with low headlands: the Trilha da Praia do Rosa to Praia Vermelha is a short, scenic walk, and the paths near Ibiraquera are flat and family-friendly.

Garopaba is around 75 kilometres from Florianópolis via BR-101, about one hour by car, and makes a good base if you want hiking plus beach time. Pousadas here run roughly R$250–450 in summer, less in the shoulder months. The best window is March to May and September to early December; July can be cool and windy but quieter. The Morro do Cambirela is the one trail here I would not attempt without local guidance, and I would skip Garopaba in the first half of January unless you book months ahead. For a mix of coastal walks and easy access to Florianópolis, book a hotel in Garopaba over one in Palhoça — the town is closer to the trails and the evening scene is better.

Bus services run from Florianópolis to Garopaba and Imbituba, but a car gives you the freedom to reach trailheads at dawn.

Practical Planning for a Hiking Trip in Santa Catarina

Santa Catarina's climate varies sharply between the coast and the plateau. The coast has humid summers and mild winters; the Serra has cold winters with frost and occasional snow above 1,200 metres. If you are hiking in the Serra between June and August, bring layers, waterproof boots and a windproof jacket. On the coast, light quick-dry clothing and insect repellent are more useful. Trail markings in Brazil are often minimal, so carry a downloaded offline map or a local guide's contact. Cell signal is patchy on the Lagoinha do Leste and Cambirela routes.

You can combine a city stay in Florianópolis with a couple of nights in São Joaquim or Bom Jardim da Serra for the canyons, then a few days in Garopaba for coastal walks. Driving times are manageable: Florianópolis to São Joaquim is about four hours via BR-282 through Lages, and Florianópolis to Garopaba is about one hour. Aim for April to June or September to November for the best balance of weather, prices and fewer crowds. Booking a hotel early matters for the Serra in winter and for the coast in January and February, when demand is highest.