Catoá

Catoá waterfall, also spelled Catuá, is in the village of Campo Alegre, on the northern edge of Cavalcante, in Chapada dos Veadeiros. Local guides speak of a drop around 70 meters; the state tourism register lists about 100. What does not change is the pair of pools: one green and cold, fed by the fall, and one turquoise, warm water that rises in the rock.

The trail

Much of the roughly 22 km from Campo Alegre is driven. The walk starts where the 4x4 stops and is about 8 km round trip, through tall cerrado and gates. Count on about four hours of moving, with a guide the whole way.

How to get there

From Cavalcante it is about 66 km, with a rough dirt finish. Departures from Alto Paraíso are also sold, with more road. Without an accredited guide from Campo Alegre the visit does not go in.

When to go

The dry months, May to September, make the trail and the creeks more predictable. Heavy rain spoils the access and raises the risk on the path. There is no support at the pool: bring water, food and sun cover.