Monte Verde Attractions
Monte Verde
Monte Verde, situated in the Serra da Mantiqueira (commune of Camanducaia), near the border with the state of Rio de Janeiro, resembles a village in the Alps. Winter temperatures here fall as low as 14°C/7°F. The area was first settled by immigrants from Latvia, followed by Hungarians and Germans. The presence of Europeans is reflected in the Alpine-style wooden houses, the carefully tended gardens, the arts and crafts and the way of life and customs of the inhabitants. Monte Verde lies 32km/20mi from Camanducaia, 484km/300mi north of Belo Horizonte and 166km/103mi north-east of São Paulo.
Access
Monte Verde is reached from Camanducaia on a difficult unsurfaced road; but the village also has an airstrip suitable for light aircraft, from which there are sightseeing trips in the valley.
Craft products
In the village and the surrounding area there are dozens of hotels, pousadas and hotel-fazendas. The sale of local products, including hand-crafted articles (sweets, chocolate, apple brandy, pottery) is a major element in the economy. Visitors can see round the workshops of the local craftsmen and watch the various stages in the making of the pottery.
Excursions
There is ample scope round Monte Verde for hill walking, climbing and pony trekking. 4km/2.5mi from the village is the viewpoint known as the Chapéu do Bispo ("Bishop's Hat"), and within a radius of 6km/4mi there are the peaks of Pedra Partida (2050m/6725ft), Plato (1980m/6495ft), Pico Selado (2080m/6825ft) and Pedra Redonda (about 2000m/6560ft).
Monte Verde, situated in the Serra da Mantiqueira (commune of Camanducaia), near the border with the state of Rio de Janeiro, resembles a village in the Alps. Winter temperatures here fall as low as 14°C/7°F. The area was first settled by immigrants from Latvia, followed by Hungarians and Germans. The presence of Europeans is reflected in the Alpine-style wooden houses, the carefully tended gardens, the arts and crafts and the way of life and customs of the inhabitants. Monte Verde lies 32km/20mi from Camanducaia, 484km/300mi north of Belo Horizonte and 166km/103mi north-east of São Paulo.
Access
Monte Verde is reached from Camanducaia on a difficult unsurfaced road; but the village also has an airstrip suitable for light aircraft, from which there are sightseeing trips in the valley.
Craft products
In the village and the surrounding area there are dozens of hotels, pousadas and hotel-fazendas. The sale of local products, including hand-crafted articles (sweets, chocolate, apple brandy, pottery) is a major element in the economy. Visitors can see round the workshops of the local craftsmen and watch the various stages in the making of the pottery.
Excursions
There is ample scope round Monte Verde for hill walking, climbing and pony trekking. 4km/2.5mi from the village is the viewpoint known as the Chapéu do Bispo ("Bishop's Hat"), and within a radius of 6km/4mi there are the peaks of Pedra Partida (2050m/6725ft), Plato (1980m/6495ft), Pico Selado (2080m/6825ft) and Pedra Redonda (about 2000m/6560ft).
Cachoeira da Pedreira
Cachoeira da Pedreira
There are two springs within the village, the Fonte do Abol (Rua da Represa) and the Fonte do Raimundo (Rua da Mantiqueira). On Avenida da Fazenda is the Pedreira waterfall. In this part of the Serra da Mantiqueira the rivers often have to overcome sharp differences in level, and accordingly there are large numbers of waterfalls. There is good fishing (particularly trout) in the country round Monte Verde.
There are two springs within the village, the Fonte do Abol (Rua da Represa) and the Fonte do Raimundo (Rua da Mantiqueira). On Avenida da Fazenda is the Pedreira waterfall. In this part of the Serra da Mantiqueira the rivers often have to overcome sharp differences in level, and accordingly there are large numbers of waterfalls. There is good fishing (particularly trout) in the country round Monte Verde.
