Pico do Jaragua, one of the last fragments of Atlantic Forest in Sao Paulo, is the highest mountain peak situated in the city of Sao Paulo. It is a part of the Jaragua State Park.
History
The history of Pico do Jaragua is interesting. The first-time expeditions in this geological site occurred towards the end of the 16th century. It was the time when Martim Afonso de Sousa, the then governor of the province discovered the traces of gold in Brazil. It was the beginning of the gold cycle in the area. In the following years, Afonso Sardinha settled here. He built the Great Casarão Bandeirista and gold-washing tank. Gold mining was done here until the mid-19th century, when there was a shift of the main economic activity from gold mining to the cultivation of coffee.
The word “Jaragua” in the Tupi language refers to “Lord of the Valleys.” The mountains of the park are 1,135 meters high. The imposing mountains can be seen from the different parts of the city.
Pico do Jaragua’s geographical features are varied, and include mangroves, rocky shore, coastal wetlands, offshore cays, coral reefs, dry forest, and sandy habitats. This leads to the diversity of the flora and fauna. The flora in the park comprises of trees such as yellow ipe, fig trees, palm-juçara, cambará, guapuruvu, samambaiaçu, redwood d’alho, etc. Besides monkeys and toucan, the park is home to sloth bear, turtles, Tegu lizard, coral snake, red Brocket deer, ocelot, eagle rays-of-plated, marmosets, etc. Some of the birds found at the peak are heron nightshade, cormorant, darter, loon, heron, etc.
Things to do
Various activities to do at the Jaragua Peak are trekking, hiking, cycling, biking, longboarding, skating, or touring the mountain in a car. There are several trekking trails on the mountain. The famous one is Trilha do Pai Zé (Trail of St Paul).
Note:
Even though it is a pristine place, yet the lack of infrastructural facilities make it a bit uneasy to travel. If you like verdant landscape and magical silence which is broken by the occasional sounds of the fauna in the park, this is the perfect place.
Nearby Attractions
Some of the attractions near the Pico da Jaragua include the Sao Paulo Aquarium, Paulista Avenue, Credicard Hall, Sao Paulo Zoo, etc.
Peak of Jaragua Location Map
Facts about Pico do Jaragua
- The peak covers an area of 492.68 acres.
- Till 1940, when the Jaragua farm was acquired by the State Government of Sao Paulo, it had several owners.
- The farm was converted into a State Park on May 3, 1961.
Where is Pico do Jaragua ?
It is located at a distance of about 16 km from Praça da Sé – São Paulo, in southern Brazil.
Address: Pico do Jaragua Villa Jaragua, Sao Paulo – SP, Brazil
Distance from various places:
- From Caieiras: 18 km
- From Franco da Rocha: 30 km
- From Mairipora: 40 km
- From Osasco: 10 km
- From Carapicuíba: 20 km
- From Francisco Morato: 15 km
How to reach ?
The peak is about 48.7 km away from the International Sao Paulo Airport (via Rodovia Ayrton Senna da Silva and BR-116). You can reach the peak via bus and train.
Bus Lines:
- 8040 – Lapa to Sol Nascente (Sun Rise)
- 8047 – Lapa to Jaragua
- 8696 – Praça Ramos to Jaragua
Metro line:
Station : Vila Clarice – Ruby Line 7 of CPTM, destination Francisco Morato
Best time to visit
You may plan to visit the mountain in the early morning as there is fresh air and it is cool.
Pico do Jaragua Hours
The Administrative Office of Pico do Jaragua opens on Mondays to Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The park opens from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. In the summers, it closes at 8:00 p.m. The access to the tracks is until 4:00 p.m. and during the summers it is till 5:00 p.m.
The cyclists and hikers are allowed entry at 6:00 a.m., after registration at the administrative section of the park.
Pico do Jaragua Tickets
No entry fee is charged for admission to Pico do Jaragua.
More Information
Who manages Pico do Jaragua?
Presently, the Forestry Foundation is managing the unit Integral Protection Conservation.
What are the coordinates of Pico do Jaragua?
23.4583° S, 46.7653° W
Related : Pico Do Jaragua Infographic
Image Credit : Chensiyuan
AS20151019