Canyon tour from Gramado: Itaimbezinho trails & picnic

Walk the rim of Latin America's largest canyon and eat lunch overlooking it

A full-day tour from Gramado to Itaimbezinho Canyon in Aparados da Serra National Park, where you hike two easy rim trails: the Vertice (45 minutes) and the Elbow (2.5 hours), then picnic at the edge. The canyon is 700 meters deep and six kilometers long, with basaltic walls lined in Araucaria forest and two major waterfalls visible from the lookouts. A professional Portuguese-speaking guide leads the group. Park entry, transport and picnic are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Itaimbezinho Canyon and Picnic

• Start at park headquarters
• Walk Vertice Trail (1.4 km, 45 min)
• View Cascata das Andorinhas waterfall
• See Véu da Noiva waterfall
• Reach third viewpoint of canyon
• Hike Cotovelo (Elbow) Trail (6.3 km, 2.5 h)
• Enjoy views of Itaimbezinho walls
• Finish with a picnic

The experience

The tour leaves Gramado at 7:30 am by air-conditioned coach and arrives at Aparados da Serra National Park in Cambará do Sul. Both trails start at the park headquarters and follow the canyon rim on flat or nearly flat ground, so they suit all ages and fitness levels. The Vertice trail is the shorter option (1.4 kilometers round trip, 45 minutes), and passes three viewpoints where you see the Cascata das Andorinhas (200 meters high), the Véu da Noiva waterfall (289 meters), and the V-shaped vertex that gives the trail its name. The Elbow trail is longer at 6.3 kilometers round trip and takes about 2.5 hours. It follows an old park road and the canyon edge, offering views of the classic Itaimbezinho walls and the Elbow formation itself.

You can walk both trails or choose one and wait for the rest of the group to finish. The guide will coordinate the timing. The canyon walls are covered in Araucaria forest and cut by the Boi River at the bottom, which you see from above. This landscape was used for filming the Brazilian miniseries "Casa das Sete Mulheres." At the end of the day, a picnic awaits at the canyon edge to refuel before the return drive to Gramado, which arrives in the late afternoon.

The tour is nine hours total. Infants sit on an adult's lap. Bring a valid passport or ID (Brazilian residents need only their RG number). You'll need to provide this information to the operator immediately after booking so the service can be confirmed. Departure times are set upon reconfirmation, though the standard start is 7:30 am from Gramado or 7:50 am from Canela if you prefer that pickup point.

What’s included

• Park entry to Aparados da Serra National Park.
• professional guide in Portuguese.
• air-conditioned coach transport from Gramado.
• picnic lunch at the canyon edge.
• personalized tour bag.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (6 to 10 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupUp to 35

Live guidePortuguese

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.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Gray Line Brazil

Is this one for you?This is a shared group tour led by a guide, so you walk at the group's pace and follow the rim trails on foot, not a private experience or a self-guided hike. Choose it if you want the canyon's two main viewpoints and the waterfalls without arranging transport or navigating the trails yourself, and if you're comfortable walking between 45 minutes and 2.5 hours on flat ground.

Traveler reviews

4.19★★★★★★★★★★

31 verified traveler reviews

5 ★21

4 ★3

3 ★3

2 ★0

1 ★4

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 10 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What are the two trails at Itaimbezinho Canyon like?

The Vertice trail is 1.4 kilometers round trip and takes 45 minutes on a short, easy path with three lookouts showing two waterfalls and the canyon's V-shaped head. The Elbow trail is 6.3 kilometers round trip, takes about 2.5 hours on a flat old park road and canyon-edge path, and shows the classic canyon walls and the Elbow formation. Both start at the park headquarters and suit all ages.

How deep is Itaimbezinho Canyon?

Itaimbezinho Canyon is approximately 700 meters deep and six kilometers long, with basaltic walls covered in Araucaria forest. The Boi River runs at the bottom and is visible from the rim viewpoints.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes park entry to Aparados da Serra, transport by air-conditioned coach from Gramado, a professional Portuguese-speaking guide, a picnic at the canyon edge, and a personalized tour bag.

Can I choose to do just one trail instead of both?

Yes. You can walk the Vertice trail, the Elbow trail, or both. If you choose one, you wait at the canyon while the rest of the group completes the other, and the guide coordinates the timing.

What time does the tour depart and return?

The standard departure from Gramado is 7:30 am (or 7:50 am from Canela). The tour is nine hours total, so return is in the late afternoon. Exact departure time is confirmed when you book.