Resende at the Foot of the Serra da Mantiqueira

Resende lies at the foot of the Serra da Mantiqueira and is part of the Agulhas Negras tourist region. When planning your trip, it’s worth distinguishing between the city, destinations within the municipality, and the surrounding area. Historic architecture and an art museum sit alongside protected areas, hikes, and activities in the mountain region.

City History, Art, and Flight Experiences

In Resende’s historic center, the Centro Histórico de Resende, you’ll find old buildings, townhouses, and mansions built using rammed-earth techniques. This construction method and the different types of buildings give the historic center a distinctive architectural character. The Museu de Arte Moderna de Resende was founded in 1950 by the writer Marques Rebelo. The city’s airfield is used for skydiving and scenic flights. Together, these make culture and a range of aerial activities facets of Resende at the same scale: within the city.

Protected Areas and Water Landscapes

Within the municipality, Parque Municipal Cachoeira da Fumaça–Jacuba protects Cachoeira da Fumaça, formed by the Rio Preto. Parque Nacional do Itatiaia protects important spring areas and rich biodiversity. Its territory includes parts of the municipalities of Itatiaia and Resende in the state of Rio de Janeiro, as well as Bocaina de Minas and Itamonte in the state of Minas Gerais. The national park therefore extends across several municipalities and two states.

Other protected areas are more specifically located in Resende: the state wildlife refuge Refúgio de Vida Silvestre Estadual da Lagoa da Turfeira (REVISTUR) covers 269 hectares and was established in 2016. The APA da Serrinha do Alambari protects the upper watersheds of the Alambari and Pirapetinga rivers. Together with the municipal park, these places show how water and conservation shape the municipality.

Hikes and Activities in the Surrounding Area

The Circuito Cinco Lagos is an approximately 11 km hike officially opened in 2015 by Parque Nacional do Itatiaia. It passes through areas of Resende and Itamonte. Horse-riding trails lead from Capelinha to Visconde de Mauá and through the natural landscape of the Serra da Mantiqueira. Mountainboarding is also practiced as an outdoor sport in Visconde de Mauá. Centro Cultural Visconde de Mauá hosts art exhibitions, as well as art workshops and environmental education workshops.

In the wider area around Resende, Morro do Couto stands 2,680 m high and is the second-highest point in Parque Nacional do Itatiaia. The Pedra-Selada hike begins on private property in Parque Estadual da Pedra Selada and climbs steeply for over 2,600 m to a 1,755 m summit. It is considered moderately difficult to challenging. The rock formation is about 12 km from the town of Visconde de Mauá, in the direction of Campo Alegre and Rio Preto. Take the private starting point into account when planning your trip.

Getting There and Choosing a Hotel Location

The Rodovia Presidente Dutra runs through the municipality of Resende. The district of Visconde de Mauá can be reached via the paved RJ-163. These roads help you navigate between the city and destinations elsewhere in the municipality. When choosing a hotel in Resende, tailor your search to your planned activities: the historic center and airfield are in the city, while protected areas and activities are also located elsewhere in the municipality or in the surrounding area. For specific outings, check current road, trail, and access conditions, as well as the relevant program.

Discover more destinations: Nhangapi, Barra Mansa, Mendes, Conceição de Macabu, Mesquita, Valença, Silva Jardim, Rio de Janeiro

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