The Chapada Diamantina
is ideal for exploring nature on hiking trails and has once again shown us the extensive facets of Brazil. After a 6 hour drive from Salvador to Lençois, we were ready to start the adventure in the nature of the Chapada the next day.The Chapada Diamantina is located in the Sertão Baiano, a steppe-like area west of Salvador and is a national park with hiking routes, stalactite caves, lakes and waterfalls. Various hikes can be undertaken, but be careful not to go hiking without a guide. Some tourists have already got lost in the national park and have not come back.
The name Lençois comes from the time of the diamond boom and means sheet. The diamond miners built their first homes on the diamond-bearing Rio Lençois and covered their huts with tarpaulin. From a distance it looked like sheets (port. Lençois) spread out to dry. After the diamond boom, the town fell apart, but it really flourished after the Chapada Diamantina National Park was founded in 1985. It is a beautiful place and is a listed building.
Lençois is definitely a tip for nature lovers.Sights that are worth a visit are the table mountain Morro do Pai Inácio, which offers a wonderful panorama. Caves like the Grota do Lapão, Gruta Azul, Gruta da Lapa Doce or waterfalls like Cachoeira do Sossêgo or the famous Cachoeira da Fumaça are an experience and amaze every nature lover. In addition, I would like to refer to the Poço Azul and the Gruta do Poço Encantatdo, which are located near the towns of Igatu and Andarai. These are just a few sights that reveal the incredible Chapada ecosystem.
We were in Lençois for a total of 4 days and started our hikes from there. We were fortunate that a good friend from my wife’s childhood worked as a guide in the Chapada Diamantina and took care of us. Fabio showed us some of the beautiful and worth seeing places and we really enjoyed the time. But even for visitors who have no acquaintances who are familiar with the area, there are enough one-day or multi-day tours that can be booked including a guide for a good price. In order to have a carefree stay in the Chapada Diamantina, one should definitely not go on a hike without a local guide. The hiking routes are not very well signposted and as already mentioned at the beginning, some adventurers who have tried it alone have been lost.
We made the journey from Salvador by car. The route is around 430 kilometers and for the most part is straight without a few curves. Even during the journey you can observe the wonderful nature and see how it changes from the beach and more to steppes and table mountains. In the six-hour drive you should take a few breaks into account, as the road for the most part leads straight up and down hills and the concentration while driving could decrease quite a bit. The truck convoys in which three or four trucks drive one behind the other and above all uphill at a snail’s pace, sometimes obstructing the flow of traffic, present a further challenge.
Those who do not want to drive a rented car can also reach Lençois by Rodoviaria or by plane.
Those who are still fit after a hike in the evening can have fun in the various bars and restaurants. You should also try the local cuisine, which attracts attention with some specialties. However, since we went hiking from early in the morning until late in the afternoon, after dinner we only went to our sleeping quarters tired and did not get much of the nightlife. In terms of accommodation, there are pousadas and hotels in all price ranges that offer what you are looking for . We stayed at the Hotel de Lençois and can only recommend it.
Above all, the large swimming pool was a real and refreshing highlight after the strenuous hike. So we would advise every Bahia visitor to take a detour to the Chapada Diamantina. Simply a great experience.
Source by Dindu
