{"id":34715,"date":"2025-07-24T11:14:04","date_gmt":"2025-07-24T14:14:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/geartips.club\/blog\/he-walked-970-km-to-open-the-paths-of-the-transmantiqueira-trail\/"},"modified":"2025-07-24T11:14:04","modified_gmt":"2025-07-24T14:14:04","slug":"he-walked-970-km-to-open-the-paths-of-the-transmantiqueira-trail","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/geartips.club\/blog\/en\/he-walked-970-km-to-open-the-paths-of-the-transmantiqueira-trail\/","title":{"rendered":"He walked 970 km to open the paths of the Transmantiqueira Trail"},"content":{"rendered":"

On April 25, 2025, Luiz Arag\u00e3o embarked on a groundbreaking journey in Brazil: to cover the 970 km of the Transmantiqueira Trail, which crosses 38 municipalities in S\u00e3o Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Minas Gerais. The 77-day journey began at Horto Florestal in S\u00e3o Paulo and ended at Ibitipoca State Park in Minas Gerais on July 10.<\/p>\n

The expedition was born from a noble purpose: to open a long-distance trail in the Serra da Mantiqueira so people can hike through natural environments safely. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t an adventure or leisure experience. I went there to map, test the pre-existing route, and assess the logistics. We left without knowing, for example, where there were sources of drinking water or places to sleep in some sections. Everything was recorded on my phone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Arag\u00e3o<\/p>\n

Arag\u00e3o registered everything on his phone<\/p>\n

The mission of Arag\u00e3o and the seven coordinators of the Transmantiqueira Trail project is to provide future generations with a ready trail \u2014 complete with maps, signage, and all the information needed to plan their journey according to their level, interests, and available time.<\/p>\n

How the Transmantiqueira Trail project began<\/h2>\n

The idea of the Transmantiqueira Trail is not new. It dates back to the 1980s, when mountaineer Sergio Beck envisioned a long trail crossing the entire Serra da Mantiqueira. The official project only started taking shape in 2017 with some initiatives and the formation of a 300-volunteer network but was paused during the pandemic.<\/p>\n

In 2024, after completing a 740 km expedition along the Transespinha\u00e7o Trail (TESP) in the Espinha\u00e7o mountain range in Minas Gerais \u2014 which brought improvements and updates to the route \u2014 Arag\u00e3o reactivated the volunteer groups. After seven months of planning, he set off on the expedition, called EXPED (short for “expedition”). \u201cI started with three other people who didn\u2019t know the Transmantiqueira Trail. Others joined in, some left, and I finished accompanied by Rannier Barata, who completed the entire route alongside me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Arag\u00e3o<\/p>\n

Arag\u00e3o and his initial companions<\/p>\n

Project aims to keep the Serra da Mantiqueira trails alive<\/h2>\n

The goal of the project is not to create new trails but to connect existing ones. It involves identifying smaller trails to avoid busy roads and areas with dense human presence or private properties. Another goal is to anticipate future construction and prevent natural paths from disappearing.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe trail is alive and constantly changing, but time is of the essence. We want to mark the terrain so that these paths endure even with future developments. And this needs to happen before properties become consolidated, through dialogue and viable alternatives for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Arag\u00e3o explains that he already had a preliminary route provided by volunteers, including information on inns and other services, but much of it was outdated or no longer valid. \u201cAbout 40% of the previous route will change, mainly due to the large number of properties acquired in the Serra da Mantiqueira. A century-old trail once used by muleteers, for example, was closed down when a hotel was built last year.\u201d<\/p>\n

During the expedition, Arag\u00e3o encountered locked gates in some areas, forcing him to walk along roads \u2014 such as in Gon\u00e7alves, Minas Gerais. \u201cI had to leave the original trail because a large farm was sold and fenced off the path. A local resident and I discussed a possible new route.\u201d<\/p>\n

Later on, another obstacle: \u201cWe were on a stunning road, with a beautiful view of the valley \u2014 it felt like being in Europe. But near the top, we saw a massive gate with a padlock. It was impossible to backtrack, so we had to negotiate with the groundskeeper to cross the property. Later, we met a resident of the condominium, who advised me on the feasibility of a new path, and we exchanged contacts to move forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

All of these issues will be included in the report Arag\u00e3o will prepare to refine the trail route based on real conditions.<\/p>\n

Transmantiqueira Trail access for all levels<\/h2>\n

After the expedition, the first step will be updating the Transmantiqueira Trail website<\/a>. The long trail will be divided into segments marked by colors: green (for beginners), yellow (intermediate), and red (for experienced hikers). \u201cPeople will find trails suited to their profile, with lodging options \u2014 including family homes, inns, campgrounds, and even Airbnb. Our goal is for everyone, regardless of skill level, to choose the kind of experience they want. We\u2019ll also map out support infrastructure like restaurants, banks, and useful contacts.\u201d<\/p>\n

Through integration with a German 360-degree platform, users will be able to explore the trail on a computer during planning and follow it on their phones during the hike. Once this stage is completed (scheduled for this year), the next step will be installing signage along all segments to make access safer and easier.<\/p>\n

\"Transmantiqueira<\/p>\n

Transmantiqueira Trail signage<\/p>\n

Transformative experiences on the Transmantiqueira Trail<\/h2>\n

In addition to iconic experiences offered by the Serra da Mantiqueira \u2014 such as the Itatiaia National Park<\/a>, Papagaio State Park, Marins-Itaguar\u00e9 crossing, and Serra Fina \u2014 Arag\u00e3o was amazed by the Minas Gerais section of the Transmantiqueira Trail. \u201cI was blown away by the scenery in the final 200 km, between Bom Jardim de Minas and Ibitipoca. There\u2019s even a new park called Serra Negra State Park.\u201d Other highlights include the stunning approach to Pedra do Ba\u00fa and the rock formations in Gon\u00e7alves.<\/p>\n

\"Serra<\/p>\n

Serra Fina crossing – during the Transmantiqueira<\/p>\n

\"Sunrise<\/p>\n

Sunrise at Pedra da Balan\u00e7a in Gon\u00e7alves – MG<\/p>\n

For food lovers, Arag\u00e3o dubbed two destinations the \u201cgourmet Transmantiqueira\u201d: Visconde de Mau\u00e1 \u2014 a two to three-day stretch classified as green on the site \u2014 and Campos do Jord\u00e3o, known for great food and comfort.<\/p>\n

Another memorable experience was the reception from trail angels \u2014 people who had hiked the trail before or felt a special connection to it. \u201cWe were warmly welcomed and stayed for free in Campos do Jord\u00e3o, at a place usually used by pilgrims. Some volunteers brought us cheese and helped us in many ways.\u201d<\/p>\n

Challenges and legacy of the Serra da Mantiqueira long-distance trail<\/h2>\n

Before setting off, Arag\u00e3o not only prepared physically and planned how to carry the weight over the 970 km but also mentally for a personal and collective achievement.<\/p>\n

\u201cFirst, I had to accept it wouldn\u2019t be easy, and that I\u2019d miss my son\u2019s 18th birthday \u2014 a milestone. But I had to face this mission to leave a legacy for others. Mental preparation also helped me stay calm during the worst storm of my life in Papagaio State Park, endure freezing temperatures in Itatiaia, and deal with a swarm of hornets that appeared along the way.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the end, the feeling was one of mission accomplished \u2014 and the motivation to continue establishing long trails in Brazil to promote quality of life and income generation. \u201cI laid my brick so others can follow. We need more Brazilians with the same purpose.\u201d<\/p>\n

Environmental awareness is another legacy promoted by the Transmantiqueira Trail project. \u201cI truly believe long or short interconnected trails are essential tools for environmental preservation. We can reforest pastures, protect water springs, report fires, deforestation, and poachers. But we need volunteers,\u201d says Arag\u00e3o, who emphasizes many ways to contribute beyond hiking \u2014 such as planning, research, and communication.<\/p>\n

Next steps for the Transmantiqueira Trail and Luiz Arag\u00e3o<\/h2>\n

Next year, EXPED 2026 is already planned and will continue annually. The goal is to engage volunteers to mark the entire route, using collective effort to cover all sections of the Transmantiqueira Trail.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Luiz Arag\u00e3o is preparing for an even more challenging mission: connecting the Transmantiqueira to the Serra do Espinha\u00e7o<\/strong>. \u201cWe\u2019re calling the project GTB (Grande Trilha do Brasil). It will be nearly 3,000 km from S\u00e3o Paulo to the border of Bahia.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Both efforts make Brazil a promising example of how to successfully implement long-distance trails in a structured and safe way, following the lead of the United States and Europe.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

On April 25, 2025, Luiz Arag\u00e3o embarked on a groundbreaking journey in Brazil: to cover the 970 km of the Transmantiqueira Trail, which crosses 38 municipalities in S\u00e3o Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Minas Gerais. The 77-day journey began at Horto Florestal in S\u00e3o Paulo and ended at Ibitipoca State Park in Minas Gerais on […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3586,"featured_media":34642,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1664,1665],"tags":[1737,1767],"class_list":["post-34715","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hiking-and-trekking","category-national-destinations","tag-long-distance-trail","tag-transmantiqueira-en"],"blocksy_meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/geartips.club\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34715","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/geartips.club\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/geartips.club\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/geartips.club\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3586"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/geartips.club\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34715"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/geartips.club\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34715\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/geartips.club\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/34642"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/geartips.club\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34715"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/geartips.club\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34715"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/geartips.club\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34715"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}