Serra da Moeda, Cerrado Travel Guide

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Discover Serra da Moeda: A Minas Gerais treasure offering outdoor adventures, rich history, and stunning natural beauty.

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Serra da Moeda

Serra da Moeda, located in Minas Gerais, Brazil, is a stunning mountain range offering a blend of natural beauty, outdoor activities, and historical significance. It's a popular destination for paragliding, hiking, and exploring the region's rich history tied to the Brazilian Gold Rush.

A brief summary to Serra da Moeda

Moeda, Moeda, State of Minas Gerais, BR

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Serra da Moeda.

Visit during the dry season (May to September) for the best hiking and paragliding conditions.
Explore the local cuisine in the nearby towns for an authentic Minas Gerais culinary experience.
Consider visiting the Inhotim Institute, a contemporary art museum and botanical garden, located near Serra da Moeda.

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Explore Serra da Moeda on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Serra da Moeda, mapped for you.

Getting There

Driving

From Belo Horizonte, take BR-040 towards Rio de Janeiro. After approximately 40 km, take the exit towards Moeda/Belo Vale (MG-825). Follow MG-825 for about 20 km to reach Serra da Moeda. The drive takes around 47 minutes. Expect to pay around R$30-R$50 for fuel. Parking is available near popular viewpoints, but it can be limited during weekends.
Public Transport

Take a bus from Belo Horizonte's Rodoviária (bus station) to Belo Vale. Santafé Transportes operates this route. From Belo Vale, take a taxi to Serra da Moeda. The bus journey takes approximately 2 hours and costs around R$36. The taxi ride from Belo Vale to Serra da Moeda will cost approximately R$40-R$60.

Discover more about Serra da Moeda

Serra da Moeda, an imposing mountain range in Minas Gerais, stretches across eight municipalities, offering a diverse cultural and historical landscape. This area has been occupied for centuries and is rich with cultural resources and historical sites dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. The name 'Moeda,' meaning coin, originates from an illegal mint that operated in São Caetano between 1729 and 1731.The mountain range has a rich history of gold, iron ore, and manganese mining. The abandoned ruins of the Brumadinho Fort offer glimpses into the gold mining industry of the 17th century. Today, Serra da Moeda attracts outdoor enthusiasts with opportunities for paragliding and hang gliding, especially on weekends. Hiking trails wind through the landscape, offering breathtaking panoramic views of valleys and hills. The area is known for its diverse vegetation, including cedars, jequitibás, orchids and jacarandas.Beyond its natural beauty and recreational opportunities, Serra da Moeda holds cultural significance. Communities descended from runaway slaves, known as quilombos, are scattered throughout the area, maintaining traditional harvest festivals and dance ceremonies. The mountains also serve as a backdrop for significant landmarks in neighboring municipalities, such as the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Matosinhos, a World Heritage site.While Serra da Moeda offers a blend of nature, adventure, and history, it faces threats from urban development and mining activities. Inclusion on the 2014 World Monuments Watch has helped advocate for sustainable mining practices to protect the area's heritage.