Monte Pascoal National and Historical Park

Monte Pascoal is the peak that, according to historical tradition, was the first land sighted by Pedro Álvares Cabral’s fleet in April 1500. Around it, Monte Pascoal National and Historical Park was created on November 29, 1961, covering about 22,332 hectares, according to Wikipedia.

Atlantic Forest

The park protects lowland forest with large trees, as well as restinga and mangroves. Wikipedia records annual rainfall of 1,500 to 1,700 mm and the presence of species such as the jaguar, the puma and the tapir, all threatened in southern Bahia. Since 1999, the park has been part of the World Heritage Site Discovery Coast Atlantic Forest Reserves. See the Discovery Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Pataxó and Monte Pascoal

The park’s territory overlaps with traditional lands of the Pataxó people, which is why its management involves ICMBio and FUNAI. The Instituto Socioambiental records that the Pataxó reclaimed the park area in 1999. The village of Barra Velha, near the coast, has about 250 years of history, according to ISA. A visit is also an encounter with this history.

How to visit

Visiting conditions, including open trails, hours and guided access, change. Before you go:

1. confirm the current rules with ICMBio;
2. check whether the visit is organized with the Pataxó community;
3. set aside a full day from Trancoso.

This guide does not publish hours or prices without an official source.

Pair it with

Those going to Caraíva are closer to the park. For another Atlantic Forest area closer to Porto Seguro, see Pau Brasil National Park.