Private Tour
Walking the Gold Trail tour
Overview
Available languages
5 hours
Mobile ticket
Experience Paraty´s unique combination of history, culture and nature on this fascinating tour in the forest on the mountainside behind the town. With your expert local guide, step back in time on the Gold Trail, the paved road built by African slaves in the 18th Century to bring gold and precious stones out of the Brazilian interior and onto ships to Portugal. After walking on the trail through the rainforest you will stop at freshwater pools and waterfalls for a refreshing swim. You´ll also visit the thrilling Toboggan waterfall, a natural rock waterslide that you can slide down and the locals ´surf´down standing up! The tour finishes in a cachaça distillery where, before tasting the various types of cachaça, you will see at first hand how the Brazilian rum is still made the traditional way.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Wear shoes that you are comfortable walking in (no high heels, no flipflops)
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Private transportation
Alcoholic Beverages
Cachaça tasting at local distillery
English speaking state accredited tour guide
Lunch
Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Meeting points
Paraty
Paraty Brazil
End points
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Cachoeira do Toboga
At the end of the walk the accredited guide will take you for a refreshing swim in waterfalls and freshwater pools. The highlight for many is the Toboggan, a large natural rock waterslide.
The Gold Path
Our state accredited tour guide will take you on the Gold Trail, the paved road built by African slaves in the 18th century to transport gold out of the Brazilian interior and onto ships bound for Portugal. In addition to providing a fascinating scenario for guiding you through Brazil's history, the trail is also surrounded by Atlantic Forest. The guide will also talk you about this 'forgotten' forest and point out many trees and plants, some of which are edible! Please note that the Gold Trail is only accessible when accompanied by local state registered tour guide.
Options
Walking the Gold Trail tour
Pickup included
Reviews
20 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Thank you to Luc for the professionalism and this moment of human sharing
Culture03433272085,
Feb 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Thank you to Luc (French speaking guide) for his transmission of knowledge both at the level of flora (with tasting of different leaves with familiar or discovered tastes) and fauna with tasting of red ants head ... after reluctance we all enjoyed great as teenager😉 We have eat at the foot of the waterfalls in a heavenly place. Then we were in the waterfalls where Luc explained to us how to jump 12 meters safely (only our teenagers did) but also how to enjoy the natural slide without injury. We ended up visiting the cachaca distillery. Another big thank you to Luc for this fun and informative sharing that will remain long in our memories
Michael is a...
Naresh C,
Dec 13, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00Michael is a knowledgeable guide and made the tour fun. We learnt a lot about Brazilian flora and Paraty's history.
100% for this tour
Resort664273,
Jan 13, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We did the Gold trail with Paraty experience. It was super nice, our guide Rodrigo is very friendly and knowledgeable. He was able to answer all our questions. He is very passionat about the forest, the history of paraty and more! I can only suggest to do the Gold trail with Paraty explorer! Thanks Loïc and Steph
Excellent day out in Paraty!
Jade H,
Sep 17, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An excellent day out in Paraty! Our tour guide Michael was very knowledgeable about the local area and taught us loads about the history of Brazil. We walked along the gold trail and ended at Cachoeira do Tobogã (natural waterfalls). This part was amazing and we got to slide down the rocks with the help of a local guide. We also got to see him sliding down on his feet which was unbelievable! We then had lunch at a family owned restaurant and visited a rum distillery, where we got to taste lots of samples and learned about the process in which it’s made. Would definitely recommend this tour! Communication prior to the tour was brilliant (all organised via WhatsApp) and transport and value for money was great.
Two lovely days in Paraty with Michael and Rodrigo
Alina G,
May 23, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We‘ve booked the kayaking tour and the „Gold Trail hike“ with Michael and Rodrigo. Both trips were amazing and we enjoyed it a lot. Both guides from Paraty Explorer very pleasant, open-minded and taught us a lot. We would definitely recommend both trips. If you love nature both trips are definitely worth doing. Thank you Michael and Rodrigo for two lovely days in Paraty. Best regards Mario and Alina
Unforgettable experience
claraa858,
Mar 6, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We did the tour and it was amazing, the whole experience from beginning to end. Michael's care in sharing every story, detail, everything to provide us with the best experience possible, in addition to all patience with our group. We were delighted! Thank you for everything! It was too much.
All excellent
815eduardaf,
Jan 31, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Historic tour must-see Guide Michael request and very cool! We highly recommend the experience!!
History and contact with nature
DaniFB85,
Oct 19, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A light (with few obstacles) and short walk, accompanied by many stories and curiosities about the Golden Way and how this important trail has been preserved. Interesting to know some of this history of our country and still be able to contemplate the beauty of the biodiversity of the Atlantic Forest. A great tour to do also on days with little sun, but no rain. Michael from Paraty Explorer guided us through this very pleasant experience. It is worth knowing!
Trail that tells part of the history of Brazil
vaviaje1,
Oct 6, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I love to walk, but this one had something special, I could know the way our ancestors traveled to get to the sea coming from other regions. In every detail, we see a bit of the history of Brazil, either in nature, or in the footsteps made by slaves for the gold and other items to be transported. The guide Rodrigo made a question of sharing a lot of information with us, I learned too much that day. It's worth hiring Paraty Explorer.
Contemplative and very interesting experience
partiuviajarblog,
Sep 29, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The goal of the tour is not to walk, but to walk in the middle of nature. Rodrigo told us several interesting stories about the path, about the plants, the animals. In total are 2km of trail. Even a sedentary Cover can do it. After the trail we went to the Waterfall of Tarzan and Tobogan. We finished in the Alambique Engenho do Ouro. I recommend Paraty Explorer and the tour as an activity for the whole family!
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