Lapinha: Lagoons, Mountain Trails and Rock Paintings

Lapinha brings together several themes that you can weigh differently when planning your trip: a waterside landscape, mountains and archaeological heritage. At the Represa da Lapinha da Serra, lagoons and water activities take centre stage; at Pico da Lapinha, the focus is on an ecological hike, while the rock paintings provide a distinct historical connection. If you’re looking for a hotel in Lapinha, you can first decide which focus you’d like to shape your stay.

Lagoons and water activities

The Represa da Lapinha da Serra consists of two large lagoons. Two mountains separate them, and a water channel connects them. Swimming, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding and boat trips are available at the reservoir. The options range from swimming to activities on the water. Since water levels vary seasonally, the availability of these activities may depend on current conditions. The first lagoon is about a five-minute walk from Lapinha village’s central square.

You can also swim at Prainha, in the river. For planning purposes, these are two distinct places to enjoy the water: the first lagoon at the reservoir and river swimming at Prainha. This makes it easier to decide whether you’d like to include a lagoon visit or a river swimming spot in your stay.

Hiking and mountain scenery

Pico da Lapinha reaches an elevation of 1,647 metres. The trip to Pico offers an ecological hike along trails with a remarkable variety of mountain flora. The focus is therefore not only on the summit, but also on the plants along the trails. Visits are controlled and monitored; take this visiting requirement into account when planning.

The Lapinha-Tabuleiro crossing can be completed in two or three days. This gives you a specific timeframe for planning the route; confirm arrangements and access conditions before travelling. Pico da Lapinha is part of the Serra do Breu mountain massif, where the sources of the Rio das Pedras and Parauninha rivers are located.

Rock paintings and visitor rules

The rock paintings of Lapinha are approximately 7,000 years old. Explicit protection rules apply: it is forbidden to remove any part of the paintings, add new paintings, touch the paintings or take photographs with flash. Also follow any more recent local guidance. The age gives the rock art a historical timeframe; the prohibitions specify what to keep in mind during your visit.

Getting there and planning your trip

Access to Lapinha da Serra is via an unpaved road. When it rains, traffic may be slower and more difficult because of the road conditions. Since road conditions can change, check locally before setting out.

The planning considerations differ depending on whether you choose water activities or a hiking route: at the reservoir, seasonal water levels may affect what is possible; for the crossing, the specific timeframe is two or three days. You’ll also need to take the unpaved access road into account, as traffic may slow down and become more difficult in the rain. Water conditions, the length of the route and getting there each affect a different aspect of your stay, so you can plan for them separately.

Discover more destinations: Santa Rita De Jacutinga, Caratinga, Jaboticatubas, Sapucaí-Mirim, Campanha, Cambuí, Bom Sucesso, Senador Amaral

For the broader travel overview: Minas Gerais.