Brazil's Other Forest: The Araucária Highlands

When most people think of Brazilian forests, the Amazon immediately comes to mind. But in the cool highlands of Paraná and Santa Catarina states in southern Brazil, an entirely different and ancient forest type dominates the landscape: the Araucária or Paraná pine forest (Araucaria angustifolia). This extraordinary ecosystem — known locally as the Mata de Araucária — once covered enormous areas of southern Brazil and is now a critically threatened habitat.

The Araucária Pine: A Living Fossil

The Paraná pine (Araucaria angustifolia) is not a "true" pine in the botanical sense but a member of the ancient conifer family Araucariaceae, with relatives in Chile, Argentina, and the Pacific. Its distinctive umbrella-shaped canopy, visible from kilometres away, has remained essentially unchanged for over 200 million years. Individual trees can live for over 1,000 years and grow to heights of 30–50 metres.

The large seeds of the Araucária — called pinhões — are a crucial food source for local wildlife and have been harvested by indigenous communities for millennia. They remain a beloved winter food in southern Brazil, sold roasted on street corners throughout June and July.

Key Destinations

Campos do Jordão (São Paulo / Paraná border)

Sitting at 1,628m elevation, this mountain resort town is surrounded by some of the most accessible Araucária forest in Brazil. The Horto Florestal state park adjacent to the town offers well-maintained trails through mature Araucária stands. The town's colonial-style architecture and cool climate make it a popular weekend retreat from São Paulo.

Parque Nacional do Iguaçu (Paraná)

Better known for its world-famous waterfalls, the Brazilian side of Iguaçu National Park also protects significant areas of Atlantic Forest and transitional Araucária woodland. The park's interior trails, away from the waterfall viewing circuit, offer genuine immersion in this threatened ecosystem.

Parque Nacional das Araucárias (Santa Catarina)

Less visited than Iguaçu, this dedicated Araucária conservation park in the highlands of Santa Catarina offers outstanding opportunities for wildlife observation. The park hosts populations of the vinaceous-breasted amazon parrot (Amazona vinacea), which is entirely dependent on Araucária seeds, as well as the South Andean deer and giant anteater.

Best Time to Visit

  • May–July: Cool and dry, with pinhão harvest season in full swing. Mist clings to the highland forests in the mornings.
  • September–November: Spring brings wildflowers to the forest clearings and increased bird activity.
  • December–February: Warm, humid summer with heavier rainfall — the forest is intensely green but trails can be muddy.

Conservation Status and What You Can Do

The Araucária forest is one of the world's most threatened forest types. Less than 3% of the original forest coverage in Paraná and Santa Catarina remains intact, a result of aggressive agricultural clearance and timber extraction throughout the 20th century. Several Brazilian NGOs and the national environmental agency IBAMA are working to restore and connect remaining forest fragments.

As a traveller, your choices have real impact:

  • Support local guesthouses and guides with genuine conservation links.
  • Buy locally produced pinhão products to support forest-based livelihoods.
  • Donate to or volunteer with organisations like the Instituto Pró-Araucária.
  • Avoid purchasing any products derived from old-growth Araucária timber.

Getting There

Curitiba, capital of Paraná state, is the main gateway city and has an international airport with connections to São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and several European hubs. From Curitiba, the highland areas are accessible by rental car or long-distance bus services operated by companies such as Catarinense and Cometa.