Estrada Real
Estrada Real
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
482 reviews
Excellent
202
Very good
154
Average
63
Poor
32
Terrible
31
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Cy S
Koh Tao, Thailand24 contributions
Apr 2011
Local knowledge is all if you are looking for an interesting story to tell when you come back from your travels.
Your average Brazilians are more similar to North Americans than us, they are pretty lazy and if they can get somewhere after lunch by 4x4 (even though a normal car would do), then they will take that option every time. Brilliant, now you know when the crowds will arrive and where, you can get on with the business of avoiding them and finding out what is (and was) really going on.
Rodrigo is one of those people you wish you were more like as he walks through the Atlantic rain forest pulling out wild raspberries, wild coriander, avocados and various other stranger Brasilian edibles as we stroll down the gold trail ~1km up from where the lazy crew will arrive just after mid day to litter the place (not enough to stop you going mind, it's pretty special).
The gold trail was cut out of the rock by slaves to allow the transport of gold and various other gems from the interior to the coast for shipment back to Portugal. Due to the general disregard for anything historical by most Brasilians (concrete and mirrored glass is a sign of progress, not naff old buildings and trails!), there are still amazing undiscovered gems like this next to a popular tourist spot like Paraty. The only people that walk this trail now are either on one of Michael & Rodrigo's trips or the local farmer who owns the surrounding land.
So after an incredibly interesting 45min down hill walk (well, after a quite steep up hill tarmac walk to get to the start!) I am presented with the most amazing waterfall run I have ever seen (I've been to a few in Brasil and Asia if that helps qualify my classification, and they were pretty cool). As well as being amazing, because we joined the water falls from the gold trail and from the top, non of the lazy 4x4 crew bother to walk up that far, so even when the crowds arrive the higher stretches are still deserted.
So tree hugging, crowd avoiding bit done, on to the nature created Disney World / Alton Towers part of the trip. OMG, a 20-30m natural rock water slide with its own park attendant who when not helping to push you down the slide into the plunge pool at the bottom is busily slipping down the same slide skipping with a piece of reed and finishing off with a somersault (don't forget to leave him a tip!).
Well over to you, I don't like to be too positive about anything, it's just not very British, but I had a big smile on my face when I had my end of day beer. I also did a day sea kayaking trip with Rodrigo and a jungle and mountain trek with Michael, all amazing.
You could be in Paraty, walk down the high street, go into one of the so called "eco" tour guide shops, book a trip and probably enjoy it. However, this would only be because you hadn't been taken out by the Paraty Explorer boys. Because if you had, you would only be disappointed you had wasted money on an inferior trip. I've traveled around Brazil over the last few years and am very familiar what is normally offered from these kind of companies. The least effort for the most profit, especially if you are a Gringo. Rest assured you won't get this treatment from Michael & Rodrigo.
Enjoy
Your average Brazilians are more similar to North Americans than us, they are pretty lazy and if they can get somewhere after lunch by 4x4 (even though a normal car would do), then they will take that option every time. Brilliant, now you know when the crowds will arrive and where, you can get on with the business of avoiding them and finding out what is (and was) really going on.
Rodrigo is one of those people you wish you were more like as he walks through the Atlantic rain forest pulling out wild raspberries, wild coriander, avocados and various other stranger Brasilian edibles as we stroll down the gold trail ~1km up from where the lazy crew will arrive just after mid day to litter the place (not enough to stop you going mind, it's pretty special).
The gold trail was cut out of the rock by slaves to allow the transport of gold and various other gems from the interior to the coast for shipment back to Portugal. Due to the general disregard for anything historical by most Brasilians (concrete and mirrored glass is a sign of progress, not naff old buildings and trails!), there are still amazing undiscovered gems like this next to a popular tourist spot like Paraty. The only people that walk this trail now are either on one of Michael & Rodrigo's trips or the local farmer who owns the surrounding land.
So after an incredibly interesting 45min down hill walk (well, after a quite steep up hill tarmac walk to get to the start!) I am presented with the most amazing waterfall run I have ever seen (I've been to a few in Brasil and Asia if that helps qualify my classification, and they were pretty cool). As well as being amazing, because we joined the water falls from the gold trail and from the top, non of the lazy 4x4 crew bother to walk up that far, so even when the crowds arrive the higher stretches are still deserted.
So tree hugging, crowd avoiding bit done, on to the nature created Disney World / Alton Towers part of the trip. OMG, a 20-30m natural rock water slide with its own park attendant who when not helping to push you down the slide into the plunge pool at the bottom is busily slipping down the same slide skipping with a piece of reed and finishing off with a somersault (don't forget to leave him a tip!).
Well over to you, I don't like to be too positive about anything, it's just not very British, but I had a big smile on my face when I had my end of day beer. I also did a day sea kayaking trip with Rodrigo and a jungle and mountain trek with Michael, all amazing.
You could be in Paraty, walk down the high street, go into one of the so called "eco" tour guide shops, book a trip and probably enjoy it. However, this would only be because you hadn't been taken out by the Paraty Explorer boys. Because if you had, you would only be disappointed you had wasted money on an inferior trip. I've traveled around Brazil over the last few years and am very familiar what is normally offered from these kind of companies. The least effort for the most profit, especially if you are a Gringo. Rest assured you won't get this treatment from Michael & Rodrigo.
Enjoy
Written May 13, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vanessa P
Calgary, Canada1,462 contributions
Oct 2013 • Family
We did this road, also called gold road, from São Paulo to Parati and it was awful. In the first the road is ok and with pavement, however at a certain point it turns to be wild. The road is below mountain with big rocks or near deep cliffs. In the middle of the jungle. To get it worse, was a rainy day. In a certain point there was a cheap and old bridge to cross. Houses were rare, help no existent. So if you are planning to take this road. Make sure you like adventure, you have the necessary equipment and go in groups. I would never recommend that to a regular family with kids in a regular vacation.
Written September 9, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dan_Xing
Atlanta, GA2 contributions
Jul 2012 • Friends
We did the half day tour with Guide Harry in the Gold Trail. He was very nice and knowledgeable about the history of the area and the species in the rain forest. The tour lasted about 3 hours including walking through the trail, stopping over a waterfall, where people can swim, and visit to a small rum (called Cachaça in Portuguese), where we did small wine tasting. Walk through the rain forest, Harry introduced several species to us and told us how the Gold Trail was built. It's an very interesting tour and good for people who want the experience in a short period of time.
Written August 1, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Road59465096522
2 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
I will never go to this place again, we were in Paraty on our way back to SP. The gsp plotted the route to Cunha as the fastest. But we left in a lot of rain. This road is super dangerous. There was congestion and we reached a section where we no longer saw the other lane on the opposite side. We didn't think twice, there were several people turning the car around and returning and we did the same. This road has no signage and no one to coordinate this stretch where only one car passes at a time. This road should be closed! Even actually turning onto a road with minimal safety! (band on the ground and protection where there is a cliff.
If you have love in your life, don't go!
My husband and I will never pass this road again! The state's disregard for this road is enough to be disrespectful to people!
If you have love in your life, don't go!
My husband and I will never pass this road again! The state's disregard for this road is enough to be disrespectful to people!
Written January 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MiriamM972
Sao Paulo, SP1,147 contributions
Jan 2012
although the ride along Estrada Real is very nice, I suggest buying a ticket from one of the local agencies in Paraty for they have Land Roovers. It is not advisable to do it with one"s car since it is very muddy and somewhat dangerous
Written March 11, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NomadicNina
Teaneck, NJ185 contributions
Jan 2012
Spent 9 days on a terrific cruise, Azamara Journey with 5 kids, ages 25-16, exploring coast adn cities of Argentina and Brazil. Best excursion was half day guided hike with Harry walking Paraty's Gold Trail ....combined a beautiful and fun and not -too-hard hike, fascinating history, a waterfall swim....we continued to walk the town after, great shopping and yummy (but pricey!) food, and a gorgeous town......this is a fun spot to visit...and track down Harry, he made it come alive!
Written January 21, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GUSDALI
Rio de Janeiro, RJ8,024 contributions
Nov 2011
The Trail is a historical Path that by itself can tell hundreds of Stories... But, besides the historical interest, One can Experience an astonishing Landescaped rom up there, as well as the great amount of Art Galeries and gourgeous Cafés.
Written November 26, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Globetrotter
Sao Paulo, SP120 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
Breathtaking sceneries of mountainous regions around Cunha and Paraty. You still can see parts of the old mule pathways, and even imagine how caravans with heavy loads made their way to the harbour city.
Written October 1, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BellsOnBoard
Virginia Beach, VA56 contributions
I believe that I found out about Paraty Explorer while browsing through a TripAdvisor forum about Paraty, Brazil. We wanted to do something in Paraty that combined physical activitiy and the chance to learn about the history of the place, and as soon as I heard about the Gold Trail, I knew that it was a must-do for us!
I arranged the tour via email and paid a deposit via PayPal which was a pretty smooth process. I received a confirmation email confirming the time and pick-up location, and we were good to go. On the morning of our half-day tour, the guide, driver, and company owner showed up at our pousada a few minutes ahead of our scheduled pick-up time and waited patiently as we finished breakfast. Then, we were off!
We rode in a 4x4 up a hilly, mountainous area to where the gold trail began. Our guide was well informed about the history of the Gold Trail which was paved by African slaves who used the trail to export gold and other resources from the interior of Brazil to the coast for shipment to Portugal. We also learned about various plants and insects that can be found along the trail as we hiked along and enjoyed the beauty of the Atlantic Rainforest. A few highlights of the tour included stops at Tarzan's Pool and a waterfall as well as a visit to a traditional cachaça distillery.
The company owner also offered us helpful tips for the next leg of our trip to Ilha Grande which was very accommodating. If and when we return to Paraty, I would definitely use Paraty Explorer again for a kayak tour of the bay. Overall, this is an awesome tour and a wonderful way to see another side of Paraty!
I arranged the tour via email and paid a deposit via PayPal which was a pretty smooth process. I received a confirmation email confirming the time and pick-up location, and we were good to go. On the morning of our half-day tour, the guide, driver, and company owner showed up at our pousada a few minutes ahead of our scheduled pick-up time and waited patiently as we finished breakfast. Then, we were off!
We rode in a 4x4 up a hilly, mountainous area to where the gold trail began. Our guide was well informed about the history of the Gold Trail which was paved by African slaves who used the trail to export gold and other resources from the interior of Brazil to the coast for shipment to Portugal. We also learned about various plants and insects that can be found along the trail as we hiked along and enjoyed the beauty of the Atlantic Rainforest. A few highlights of the tour included stops at Tarzan's Pool and a waterfall as well as a visit to a traditional cachaça distillery.
The company owner also offered us helpful tips for the next leg of our trip to Ilha Grande which was very accommodating. If and when we return to Paraty, I would definitely use Paraty Explorer again for a kayak tour of the bay. Overall, this is an awesome tour and a wonderful way to see another side of Paraty!
Written August 30, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PasssionateTraveler
Payson, AZ1,161 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
We went here as part of a tour from our cruise ship. Really pretty tropical rain forest that opens up into this amazing shallow waterfall where people slide down the rock and dump into the deeper part. Certainly arranged ahead of time for us, were several people, but one guy in particular that put on a show, sliding down, jumping over another, and sliding down with a leaf on his face. Still worth seeing even if no sliders are there. Pretty place.
Written April 11, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Queria saber as condições da estrada Cunha Paraty, partindo de Cunha. Qual o tempo de descida ?
Written June 7, 2022
A estrada está em reformas, com lugares que passam apenas 1 carro por vez, ela é beem perigosa, faça com cautela. Vá pela Tamoios/Ubatuba Paraty que é mais tranquilo.
Written June 8, 2022
Carlos A
State of Minas Gerais
E permitido a passagem por essa estrada de Micro onibus?
8 metros total e.PBT de 8 Toneladas
Written December 29, 2021
Olá, alguém sabe me dizer como está a situação atual da estrada? Da pra ir com veículo sem ser 4x4? Obrigado
Written September 1, 2020
Sim, tranquilo. A estrada é toda asfaltada
Written October 3, 2020
Como esta a estrada Cunha para Paraty?
Written December 26, 2019
A pergunta sobre a estrada Cunha até Paraty foi feita no mês de dezembro 2019. Mas para quem servir em janeiro 2020. Hoje 26 01 2020 fiz o percurso de carro. Enquanto estiver no trecho de calçamento de pedras sem problemas. Agora quando iniciar o trecho de asfalto esta em péssimas condições e possui buracos enormes que poderão danificar a suspensão do carro. Viajar a noite e com chuva, esqueça poderá ter problemas em razão dos buracos. No mais a estrada é muito bonita.
Boa sorte aos aventureiros
Written January 26, 2020
Alguém sabe se tá liberada a passagem de subida e descida da serra de cunha x Paraty
Written October 22, 2019
Pesquisei e pelo noticiário tem trechos interditados por queda de terra por causa das chuvas . Pesquise.
Written October 28, 2019
Como está a estrada de Cunha a Paraty atualmente? da pra descer e subir tranquilo?
Written October 17, 2019
Achei péssima. Vários trechos q só permitem a passagem de um carro por vez. Uns buracos enormes no pavimento... Passei ontem 17/10 e vou voltar por Ubatuba. É mais seguro
Written October 19, 2019
Saindo de Aparecida, compensa descer por Taubaté ou Cunha? Qual está menos perigosa?
Written January 4, 2019
Desci por Cunha no dia 2/01/19, mas voltarei por Taubaté em 06/01, pois a chuva prejudica apreciar a natureza e o preço devido aos buracos, na parte Fluminense, pode ser alto.
Written January 6, 2019
Péssima! Faltam barreiras de proteção e as curvas são bem perigosas. Alguns pontos estão com deslizamentos de terra. Todo cuidado é pouco!
Written December 3, 2018
Como estão as condições de tráfego, na estrada, Cunha Paraty, de quem vem de Ribeirão Preto?
Written November 13, 2018
Para quem gosta de aventuras e paisagens lindas, podem descer pela SP 171 - Pindamonhangaba até Paraty. No dia 27/01/2019 resolvi subir a Serra, adorei e magnifica, claro que existe restrições, a parte que cabe ao RJ esta um pouco prejudicada e requer atenção, nada que faça você tremer de medo ou ficar horrorizado conforme alguns comentários.
pedaço com uma única passagem, buracos etc... mas nada disso torou o prazer de uma bela estrada.
curta e Boa Viagem. sempre durante o dia.
.
Written January 28, 2019
Como está a pista nesta semana. Vou viajar no feriado do dia 15 novembro
Written November 11, 2018
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