Borda da Mata: Pilgrimage Routes, Churches and Textile Crafts

Borda da Mata combines pilgrimage routes with historic churches, cycling and hiking routes, and a strong textile tradition. These themes offer different ways to plan your trip: you can get to know the town as a stop on a pilgrimage route, explore its religious buildings and their history, or include routes and local products in your plans.

Pilgrimage routes with different destinations

Borda da Mata lies on the Caminho da Fé, which ends in Aparecida, in the state of São Paulo. By contrast, Borda da Mata is the endpoint of the Caminho da Prece, which runs here from Jacutinga in Minas Gerais. Its total length is 71 kilometers. The third stage covers 21 kilometers from Venda da Ziza to Borda da Mata and ends at the Basílica de Nossa Senhora do Carmo in the town center. The Caminho da Prece can be completed without a guide or support vehicle. Borda da Mata is also a stop on the Caminho de Nhá Chica: it is the route’s first stop.

Churches and historic buildings

The Basílica de Nossa Senhora do Carmo is the only basilica in the Archdiocese of Pouso Alegre. A memorial inside tells the story of Monsenhor Pedro Cintra. The basilica thus combines a specific pilgrimage-route endpoint with a place of remembrance. The Igreja Presbiteriana Independente de Borda da Mata represents a different historical chapter: it was the first Protestant church in Minas Gerais and the fifth in Brazil. It was founded on May 23, 1869.

The town’s architectural heritage also includes the Estação Ferroviária da Estrada de Ferro Sapucaí, a listed building in Borda da Mata. Anyone interested in different chapters of the town’s history will find, alongside the churches, a protected building from its railway history.

Hiking and cycling routes

The Rota de Aventura brings together routes for hiking and cycling. The 21-kilometer Pesqueiro/Cruzeiro route starts at central squares. Volta do Darney is about 20 kilometers long, and Pedra do Retiro is 25 kilometers. At 21 kilometers, Pesqueiro/Cruzeiro is longer than the approximately 20-kilometer Volta do Darney and shorter than the 25-kilometer Pedra do Retiro. These distances do not indicate difficulty or the time required; check route conditions before setting out.

The Morro do Santo Cruzeiro is a viewpoint offering panoramic views over Borda da Mata. The landscape and views thus complement the choice of routes, so the attractions are not limited to pilgrimage routes and churches.

Textile traditions and local products

Borda da Mata’s textile sector includes clothing, pajamas, lingerie, home textiles and crafts. Shops and factories selling these products are located mainly in the urban area along the MG 290 highway. Its membership in the Circuito Turístico das Malhas do Sul de Minas places this textile tradition within a named tourism network.

The Sunday morning market at Praça Nossa Senhora do Carmo offers another opportunity to discover local products. Producers sell vegetables, fruit, pastéis and sugarcane juice directly there. In June 2026, a group of around 40 students from Pio XII and Dom Otávio Chagas de Miranda schools took part in a guided visit to the artisanal production of Paiol do Campo peanut paçoca. The visit took place in the rural area of Borda da Mata, in the Açude neighborhood; the group observed the production steps and tasted the paçoca.

Squares and events

Borda da Mata’s town center has nine tree-lined squares intended for relaxing and taking in the surroundings. They add a distinct town-center focus to visits with a more specific theme.

Events are also part of what the town has to offer: Trilha da Torre is a recurring motorcycle event. Dates and participation details may vary from one edition to another; check the specific event dates if you would like to plan your trip around it.

Discover more destinations: Passos, Porto Firme, Capitólio, Piranguçu, Santa Maria do Suaçuí, Espera Feliz, Ouro Preto, Brasilândia de Minas.

For the broader travel overview: Minas Gerais.