Caminho do Ouro hike in Paraty: Colonial gold trail

Walk a restored slave-built trail through rainforest and colonial ruins

The Caminho do Ouro is a 3.6 km cultural hike near Paraty that follows the original gold trail built by enslaved people in the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries, now restored and preserved. A legalized guide leads the walk in English, pointing out the tropical flora and fauna alongside the history of the route that once connected Paraty to Diamantina. Road transport is included, and the hike takes three hours at a medium pace suitable for most fitness levels.

The experience

The Caminho do Ouro trail starts as a walk through Serra da Bocaina rainforest, where the preserved stone sections underfoot are the original work of enslaved laborers from the colonial era. Your guide explains the route's role in Brazil's gold economy and the lives of the people who built it, moving at a medium pace that lets you stop for photographs of the landscape and spot the typical flora and fauna of this tropical region.

Two optional stops extend the history beyond the trail itself. The Cachoeira de Tobogão waterfall sits along the route, and the Engenho do D'ouro distillery, a working sugar mill, shows another side of colonial production. Neither is mandatory, so you choose whether to add them based on your pace and interest. Road transport to and from the trailhead is included, and your guide is a Cadastur legalized professional who speaks English throughout the walk.

What’s included

• Road transport to the trailhead.
• a Cadastur legalized guide speaking English.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Paraty Tours

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English throughout, so you follow the history and landscape commentary without translation. The medium pace and three-hour duration work for most fitness levels, though the trail is not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with cardiovascular concerns.

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Top questions

What is the Caminho do Ouro trail?

The Caminho do Ouro is the original gold trail built by enslaved people in the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries to connect Paraty to Diamantina. The sections you walk on are the preserved stone foundations they laid, now restored and maintained as a cultural heritage site in the Serra da Bocaina rainforest.

How difficult is the 3.6 km hike?

The hike is medium level and takes three hours at a steady pace, suitable for most fitness levels. The terrain follows the restored trail through rainforest, with stops for photographs and history along the way.

Can I visit the waterfall and distillery on this hike?

Yes, your guide offers the option to visit both the Cachoeira de Tobogão waterfall and the Engenho do D'ouro distillery, which continue the story of colonial history in the region. You can choose to include them or stay focused on the main trail.

What does the price include?

Road transport to and from the trailhead, a legalized guide speaking English, and all fees and taxes are included. Food and drinks are not included, so bring water and snacks for the three-hour walk.