Urubici: What is it, how to get there and what to do?

Urubici is a very beautiful place. However, it is little known by the general public who end up missing out on the opportunity to visit a place rich in nature and full of tours amidst this stunning nature.

So, to find out more about this place, continue reading until the end.

What is Urubici?

First of all, it is interesting to conceptualize what Urubici is so that the explanation throughout the article makes sense to you, the reader. Therefore, without further ado, the name is given to a city located in the mountainous region of Santa Catarina, in southern Brazil.

It is well known for its absolutely stunning natural landscapes and for being one of the coldest places in the country, with temperatures dropping below zero during the coldest periods of the year, in winter.

The city has several natural attractions, but one that draws the most attention is the Serra do Rio do Rastro. A winding road that winds through the mountain valleys, offering incredible panoramic views of the region.

In addition, there are other incredible places around the city, such as waterfalls, trails and viewpoints that allow you, the visitor, to explore the natural beauty of the region. 

There is also Pedra Furada, or Janela Furada, an incredible geological formation made of natural stone from the region. A stone arch that allows you to observe and pass through this 'hole' in its center.

However, the formation, despite being a postcard of the city, is located on the border between Urubici and Orleans, in the São Joaquim National Park. Pedra Furada can be accessed via a moderate trail and a guide is necessary to do so.

For adventure lovers, Urubici offers a variety of extreme sports options, such as abseiling, climbing, trekking and mountain biking. There are also several rural tourism options.

The local cuisine is a must-see attraction, with several restaurant options, especially those serving the region's main dish, trout. In addition, there is a rich craft culture that can be seen and explored.

In short, Urubici is a charming tourist destination that offers a perfect mix of adventure, nature, gastronomy and culture. 

Where is Urubici?

After this brief introduction to what Urubici is, and some spoilers about where the city is located, it's time to address the subject directly.

The city is located in the state of Santa Catarina, in the southern region of Brazil. Precisely, it is situated in the Planalto Serrano, also known as Serra Catarinense, which is a region of high altitudes and with an average of 1,000 meters above sea level.

However, despite being a nature refuge, Urubici is about 170 km from the capital of the state of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, and about 110 km from Lages, which is the largest city in the region.

Urubici is surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes, with mountains, valleys, rivers and waterfalls. The city is located in the São Joaquim National Park, which is an environmental preservation area that encompasses several cities in the mountainous region of Santa Catarina.

Therefore, it is surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes, with mountains, valleys, rivers and waterfalls. The city is located in the São Joaquim National Park, which is an environmental preservation area that covers several cities in the mountainous region of Santa Catarina.

Furthermore, Urubici is close to other tourist attractions in the region, such as Serra do Rio do Rastro and the city of São Joaquim, known for its wineries and apple production.

In short, Urubici is a charming city located in the Planalto Serrano of Santa Catarina, surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes and close to other tourist attractions in the region.

How to get there?

Getting to Urubici is not difficult, despite the city being relatively far from the major centers. Departing from the capital of the state of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis – arriving there by car or plane – and take the SC-370 that cuts through the mountain city.

However, starting from slightly more distant locations, some details end up changing.

Starting from Porto Alegre, capital of Rio Grande do Sul, you have different options to get to the city: plane, car and even public transport.

By plane, you will travel from Salgado Filho Airport (POA) to Lages Airport, Antônio Correia Pinto (LAJ), which takes about 1 hour. After landing in the city, you can continue by car (rented) or by public transport to your destination.

The route by car or bus from the southern capital is via BR-116 to Lages. Then, take SC-370, which will take you directly to the heart of Urubici in about 5 hours.

However, when following São Paulo, you will need to take a flight to Lages Airport (LAJ). Congonhas Airport (CGH) in São Paulo offers daily flights there with a duration of about 1 hour. From the city in Santa Catarina, you can travel by land.

However, if you go by car, you will leave São Paulo via BR-116 and continue to Lages. Then, take SC-370 to Urubici, a total journey time of around 13 hours.

The bus route is longer, taking about 15 hours. You will need to take a bus to Lages from the Tietê bus station. From the city in Santa Catarina, you can take another bus that will take you to the mountain city.

It is worth remembering that time and distance information may vary depending on traffic and road conditions. 

What to do in Urubici?

Urubici has a lot to do when you are willing to leave your room and enjoy nature – although staying inside and enjoying the cold in a hotel or guesthouse is one of the best ideas you can have while in the city.

This list below illustrates these options of attractions and activities that you, the adventurer and visitor to Urubici, can find:

• White Crow Mountain Range
• Church Hill
• Avencal Waterfall
• Campestre Hill
• Holed stone

In addition, there are other attractions, Urubici has several other options for tourists, such as the Véu da Noiva Waterfall, the Neve Waterfall, the Serra do Rio do Rastro Viewpoint and the Serra do Tabuleiro Ecological Park. 

However, the city is also known for its typical cuisine, with dishes based on pine nuts and trout.

White Crow Mountain Range

The Corvo Branco mountain range is part of the Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul mountain ranges, which are actually subdivisions of the rock formation that originates in Paraguay and cuts through the three states of the Southern Region of Brazil, heading towards Uruguay and Argentina, dividing the coast from the interior of Santa Catarina – the rocky chain called Serra Geral.

Therefore, it is located in the south of the state of Santa Catarina, where the state highway SC-370 passes, a road that connects the cities of Urubici and Grão-Pará, for approximately 55 km, and the difference in altitude between the two cities is 805 meters.

The road that runs through it is incredible, over 20 km long, offering panoramic views of the region's vegetation and geological formations. Its viewpoints are very popular with visitors.

Church Hill

Morro da Igreja, which belongs to the São Joaquim National Park, is located on the border between the Santa Catarina municipalities of Bom Jardim da Serra, Orleans and Urubici. It is the second highest point in Santa Catarina, at over 1,800 meters above sea level. Therefore, you can expect snow there.

A visit to the place provides an incredible experience through the local viewpoint. From there, you can enjoy the view of several cities in the region and, especially, Pedra Furada, an icon of the region.

However, be careful, Morro da Igreja is known for its low temperatures, having some of the lowest rates in the country.

Avencal Waterfall

The Avencal Waterfall is a popular tourist spot in the Urubici region. With its drop of over 100 meters, the waterfall draws attention due to the natural pool that appears at the end of the waterfall.

Furthermore, the place is easily accessible. To do so, you must take the SC-416 towards Vacas Gordas.

Campestre Hill

Morro do Campestre has an easy trail that leads to its top, from where you can observe the city from a panoramic view. The trail is surrounded by native trees of the region, offering you a great experience of contact with nature.

Additionally, you will find beautiful sandstone formations on top of the mountain, above the Canoas River valley, in Urubici.

It is located on a private farm, so please be aware of local changes and schedules.

Holed stone

Pedra Furada is a very popular rock formation with visitors, on the border of Urubici and Orleans, in the São Joaquim National Park. The rock has an arch in its arch, making it resemble a passage or window.

Therefore, it is highly sought after for its exotic and incredible scenery. To get there, you will need to take a moderate trail – which requires a trained guide – starting from Morro da Igreja.

Conclusion

In short, Urubici is an incredible place, with many options of what to see, visit and experience. However, it is a bit far away to visit often, which means that once you get there, it is worth taking advantage of everything the region has to offer.