A new ecotourism and adventure route is now integrated into Brazil’s map of long-distance trails, connecting the states of Piauí and Ceará over a 180-kilometer stretch. Fully signposted and structured, the Caminhos da Ibiapaba trail crosses areas of Caatinga, Atlantic Forest, and Cerrado, promoting immersion in natural landscapes and archaeological sites, as well as boosting community-based tourism in the region.
Divided into 13 sections, the route involves the Ceará municipalities of Tianguá, Ubajara, and Ibiapina, as well as the Piauí cities of São João da Fronteira, Brasileira, and Piracuruca. The trail links three important conservation units: Sete Cidades National Park (PI), Ubajara National Park (CE), and the Serra da Ibiapaba Environmental Protection Area (APA), located between the two states.
Caminhos da Ibiapaba is part of the set of 22 trails certified by the National Network of Long-Distance Trails and Connectivity (RedeTrilhas), a public policy coordinated by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA) and the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio), in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism. It is the first long-distance trail to cross the Caatinga.
For Tourism Minister Gustavo Feliciano, the initiative reinforces the strategy for sustainable development in the region. “The launch of Caminhos da Ibiapaba reinforces the federal government’s commitment to a tourism model that combines experience, conservation, and productive inclusion. The trail consolidates the Northeast as a reference in sustainable tourism, generating opportunities, stimulating local entrepreneurship, and promoting regional development in a planned and responsible manner,” he stated.
Along the route, which can be done on foot or by bicycle, visitors find viewpoints, waterfalls, and archaeological remains. The signage follows the national standard, identified by yellow and black markers, ensuring guidance for both independent adventurers and those who opt for local guides. The route already has tour operators, visitor guides, and a network of registered partner accommodations.
Hospitality and gastronomy businesses were mapped and invited to join the project, receiving official identification signs. According to Fabiana Oliveira, General Coordinator of Tourism Products and Experiences at the Ministry of Tourism, the proposal expands the offer of responsible experiences in the country. “Long-distance trails like Caminhos da Ibiapaba strengthen local production chains, stimulate community-based tourism, value heritage, and increase the visibility of destinations aligned with good conservation practices,” she highlighted.
The project’s technical coordinator, Thiago Beraldo, emphasized the socioeconomic impact of the initiative. “Beyond environmental importance, it is essential that initiatives like this also generate social and economic value for owners of private areas along the route and for the communities encountered on the path,” he stated.
The route’s implementation was led by the Brazilian Institute of Municipal Administration (IBAM), in coordination with local governments and with support from the GEF Terrestre program, an MMA initiative funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The Brazilian Biodiversity Fund (FUNBIO) acts as the executing partner, and the Inter-American Development Bank (BID) as the implementing agency.
The route’s development involved residents and rural landowners, reviving historical paths associated with old drovers and traveling salesmen. With support from environmental managers, sections were redefined to prioritize shaded areas and natural viewpoints. “It is a complete crossing, with natural and cultural elements and diverse usage possibilities, reviving the culture of drovers and traveling salesmen who helped build the history of the Northeast,” stated Pedro da Cunha e Menezes, Director of Protected Areas at the Ministry of Environment.
Among the highlights is the reconfiguration of nearly 40 kilometers within Ubajara National Park, replacing previous sections that passed through highways with paths set in natural areas. In São João da Fronteira (PI), community engagement resulted in the creation of a complementary route, the São João da Fronteira Trail, a shorter path that passes through carnaúba palms and rock paintings, expanding options for different visitor profiles.
For Carla Guaitanele, General Coordinator of Public Use and Environmental Services at ICMBio, the trail strengthens the conservation strategy associated with social participation. “With this initiative, ICMBio advances in its mission to conserve nature with people, offering visitors the opportunity to discover and fall in love with the landscapes, geological monuments, conserved fauna and flora of the Serra da Ibiapaba, as well as the culture and hospitality of local communities, which provide various support points along the crossing,” she commented.
In the assessment of Rodolfo Marçal, manager responsible for the GEF Terrestre program at FUNBIO, the proposal integrates environmental and social agendas. “Caminhos da Ibiapaba is a bet on environmental conservation as the engine of an economy that positions local communities as protagonists of social transformation,” he observed. He added: “The plan is for the program to support the implementation of other equally strategic routes in the program’s other two target biomes, the Pampa and the Pantanal”.
Source: brasil247.com