Hiking to Saquinho Beach

TRILHAS


The word "trilhas" means hikes in Portuguese and this island is full of them. Last Saturday we decided to take an easy one to a waterfall in the south of the island, on Solidao Beach, even south of Pantano do Sul and Azores Beach. The hike was suppose to be with few challenges and fast: about 15 minutes.

But once we got there, we ended up getting the wrong path that took us to another place, the Saquinho Beach. Although it was a more difficult journey, with very steep hills, and much longer (about an hour), we were glad we made this mistake. Saquinho Beach is another little paradise on the island.

On this map bellow, you can see where we ended up, showed here as number 13.

If you wish to do this or other hikes on the island, you can get information and maps here:

www.guiafloripa.com.br/trilhas

Solidao Beach, where we started our hike.

Most of the hike is through the Mata Atlantica, a tropical forest along the Brazilian coast. But at this point, we can walk for a while coasting the hill. That´s definately the best view of the hike.

From up there we can see Azores Beach and Pantano do Sul, two beautiful and still very preserved beaches.

Here, you still can find a strong local fishermen culture which attracts tourists, but not in a large scale like on the north of the island.

These beaches on the south of Santa Catarina Island used to be a natural habitat for whales. They still show up here in the winter time, coming from Patagonia.

Some penguins also show up here when it is cold.

Inside the woods, the hike is full of green... and mosquitos!

Sometimes you can see the ocean throught the plants.

It is just a taste to encourage the hikers to keep going.

Although the path is a bit challenging at times, the whole hike is done on concrete. Not bad.

The reward: the beach!

We are the only people there.
The waves were strong and we had to be careful because of the rocks.

Ana contemplating the nature!

The kids and I couldn´t resist and went for a swim.

Beauty everywhere.

A little stop to enjoy the view on the way back and wait for the late comers (Marcia, Ana and I).

We caught up!

When we got back, we decided to look for the other hiking trail, to the waterfall.

Again we got the wrong path (duh!), and suddently we were on no path at all, just fighting against the mosquitos, in the middle of the woods.

Up and down, up and down and no waterfalls!

What was suppose to be a fast and easy hike, turned out to be a bit stressfull, frustranting and long. But we had good laughs afterwards, when we found our way back safely.

Does it look like a path? I don´t think so.

Back on Solidao Beach, hungry and tired, we all agreed: on a picnic!

We always make friends.

Before heading home a nice open air shower to get rid of the salt water.

Fun day!

PS. After the Saquinho Beach the "trilha" continues (without the concrete path) for another 14 kms to Naufragados Beach, the extreme south of the island.

Maybe next time...