Are you thinking about hiking in Aguas Claras in Chapada Diamantina National Park? This waterfall is a gem of Vale do Capão. Nestled within the enchanting landscapes of Bahia, this natural wonder is an excellent option for a day tour for adventurers and nature enthusiasts.
There are many famous places to visit in Vale do Capão, and you should include Águas Claras in your bucket list. It is a good option if you are looking for a place to explore not far from Capão or you are looking for an easy-moderate level hike in the area.
On the way to the waterfall is one of the most famous postal cards in Vale do Capão: Morrão. A giant size hill where it is possible to hike to the top. Including a visit to Morrão will extend the tour to one day.
In this post, we explore the details of this hiking tour so you know everything you need to plan your adventure.
Let’s get started!!!
Table of Contents
Quick facts about this adventure
- Length: 10.2km
- Difficulty: Easy
- Elevation gain: 235m
Following is the route of this adventure, in case you want to have a better view of the trail. Click here to download the GPX file.
How to get to Aguas Claras
There are only three ways to reach Aguas Claras waterfall. They are listed here so you can make the best choice for you. It was our first day in Vale do Capao when we got there, so we decided to go with a tour guide in order to learn more about the region. He didn’t have a car, so we had to negotiate with the moto-taxi drivers at the entrance of the village to drive us to the beginning of the trail.
Private Transportation
It’s the easiest way since the best way to do this tour is to stay in Vale do Capão. From Vale do Capao to the beginning of the trail is around 10 mins by car. Be aware that the road conditions are not the best, so small cars might face issues there. Another fact to consider is that the parking lot at the beginning of the trail is tiny. It can nicely fit three vehicles only.
Pay for a driver
At the entrance of Vale do Capao are a couple of Moto taxis and sometimes taxis. You can tell them you want to go to Águas Claras and they will tell you their price. Our host and the tour guide told us the average cost for a one-way ride is around 25R$. One guy tried to charge 30R$, so I just said “Thanks” and spoke to another person. A few seconds later, we found a moto-taxi that agreed to bring us to the beginning of the trail for 25 R$.
Hike to the entrance of the trail
This option is for those on a tight budget or willing to extend the 10km hike of this adventure. Based on the location of your accommodation, this option could increase the walk by anything from two to five kilometers(one way). It might be interesting to go to the beginning of the trail with a moto taxi and return to Vale do Capao hiking. Mostly pousadas and small shops selling natural products are on the way of the course when leaving the village.
The hiking route
The trail has a mix of paths with big flat rocks, dirt roads, and a few spots with vegetation. The parts with more vegetation are the ones close to water sources.
Most of the time, the sun exposure is in the open, so it is better to do this hike early in the morning.
The trail has several intersections, and you can see that many of them lead to Morrao. There are a few moments where you need to hike on rocks. These rocks are flat and wide, therefore not very slippery. Hiking in Aguas Claras in Chapada Diamantina is very dynamic and exciting!!
At the beginning and end of the trail, other trails lead to some houses and huts of naturalist communities living in the area.
The elevation gain is minimal in this hiking tour. The most challenging part is at the end, where it is necessary to hold on to a tree while going down near the waterfall.
Is it required to have a tour guide?
The Aguas Claras trail is easy, but it is not marked and has a couple of intersections. The only way to do this hike without a guide is with a good offline map or GPS tracker. In Vale do Capão, there is no mobile network, so it won’t be easy to use an app that requires internet access.
We met some people that relied on information someone gave them about how to reach the waterfall. They got lost at some part of the track and had to return to the beginning.
The problem with getting lost in Chapada Diamantina is that tour guides prefer to avoid helping lost people. Many people we met that got lost after trying to hike somewhere without a guide had issues after asking for directions from other tour guides in the area.
We recommend hiring a tour guide if you want to climb to the top of Morrao. Sleeping in the Brazilian wilderness without knowledge of the area can be very dangerous.
What to bring with you
There are a couple of water sources on the way. The beginning of the trail is the first one, and the others are close to the end of the track. These water sources are near the three mini swimming pools in Águas Claras.
Be aware that the water in Chapada Diamantina is rich in iron and minerals. The rocks where the water flows give it a dark color. It can create stomach issues in people not used to this type of water. Bring enough water for a 10km hike if you want to be safe.
When it comes to food, you should bring it with you. The only place where you can buy something is at one mini market at the dirt road entrance leading to the trail’s beginning. The small dirt road starts from the main road that connects Vale do Capão and Palmeiras.
How difficult is the hike?
It depends on how you want to do this tour. The trail to Aguas Claras is easy, with almost no elevation gain. Most of the time, the sun exposure will be high since the path is open-wide without much vegetation and trees.
The way to increase the difficulty of this hike is to add a visit to Morrão. That will increase the tour to another day because of the distance and time to climb to the top. People usually hike to the top, camp at the Águas Clara’s burrow, and finish the tour the next day. You need to consult with a tour guide for more details. A visit to Morrao will transform this tour into a 2-day trek, where it’s necessary to bring a tent and enough food.
If you want to hike to the top of Morrão, don’t do it without a tour guide unless you know the area well in Aguas Claras and Chapada Diamantina.
Conclusion
Hiking in Aguas Claras, Chapada Diamantina, is a must for those willing to explore the areas around Vale do Capão. It’s an excellent opportunity for a day tour, and it can be a good warm-up before getting into a tougher hike like the Vale do Capão – Lençóis Trek.
We hope you are completely informed about this destination and ready to start a new adventure around Vale do Capão. If you are looking for more hikes to do, check out the hike to Rio Preto and Rodas.
Let us know about your travel plans or your experience in Águas Claras. See you on the next adventure!!!
