The Pedras Preciosas Cycling Route is formed by the city of Padre Paraíso, which is located in Vale do Jequitinhonha, on the banks of BR 116; and the cities of Novo Oriente de Minas and Pavão, both located in Vale do Mucuri and along the MG 409 highway.
In common, these cities have in the trade and exploration of precious stones, part of their history and their daily life, hence the main theme of this Cycling Tourism route is linked to the universe of mineralogy.
The starting point for the Precious Stones Cycling Route is the city of Padre Paraíso.
However, before starting the route, a good tip is to visit some local attractions, such as the beautiful Igreja Matriz Nossa Senhora Mãe da Igreja, located right in the center.
If you are in the city on a Saturday morning, an unmissable program is to visit the Feira Livre, which also takes place in the central region, and taste the delights of typical local cuisine such as cookies, rapaduras, cheeses, and fresh fruits coming straight from the countryside, and that will reinforce your stock for the trip.
Praça Águas Marinhas, recently renovated, is another meeting point for residents and visitors and is also worth a stop.
You will be able to purchase your Logbook, handcrafted by a writer from Padre Paraíso, Leandro Bertoldo, where you will have the route map, the attractions of the route, make notes about your impressions of the trip, highlight and leave at the points of stop your opinions, compliments, thanks and tips for the next cyclists.
Atelier Tree of Letters
Phone: 55 (33) 98461-2688
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It is also in the Diário de Bordo that you will stamp your passage along the Route along the stopping points, and receive your certificate at the end of the route, in the city of Pavão.
To receive the certificate you must have a minimum of 1 stamp in each municipality.
All the material is made with great care, affection, has a unique finish and will still serve as a beautiful souvenir of your journey, and all this for a very symbolic price, which will contribute to the continuity of the work of local artists.
Upon receiving your Logbook, you will still hear a beautiful song, sung by Leandro, which tells a little about the universe of the discovery of precious stones in the region. Undoubtedly, a great incentive to start your trip!
Visit in Padre Paraíso!
Atelier Terra do Sol
Artist Armando Ribeiro's atelier is a special place to visit in Padre Paraíso.
In addition to the beautiful pieces in ceramics and wood produced manually, the space inspires art and culture, with its beautiful landscaping and other items that permeate the daily life of Vale do Jequitinhonha and the mystical universe that inhabits the soul of the host.
The Ateliê also sells the official craft beer of the Pedras Preciosas Cycling Tourism Route, which is Cerveja Poaia, the name given to a possible location where the ancient miners believed to be located a large amount of precious stones.
Today, in addition to naming the official beer on the Route, Poaia is also one of the main tourist attractions on this route. It is a beautiful waterfall that you will find along the way.
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Leaving Padre Paraíso, the challenge begins at the highest altitude of the entire route.
You will come across two very steep climbs, which will require effort and a lot of patience.
The first ascent is known as the “Morro do Quebra Rabicho”. The second ascent is known as the “Morro das Torres”.
All the difficulty encountered in the two ascents will be worth it with the breathtaking landscape of the valley of mountains that you will find as you start your descent.
It is about 17 km from Padre Paraíso to the village of Barra Nova II, where you will find a bar, known as Bar do Senhor Murilo, where you can have a water or a soft drink, before going a little further, and then yes, have a hearty snack.
Tip: leave early, as this is the most difficult route for altimetry on the Route.
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Only 6 km separate the village of Barra Nova II to the village of Ribeirão de Santana. Once in Ribeirão de Santana, you can have a snack at Padaria Kibom, which even has its cycling-inspired decor.
The place often attends practitioners of this sport. Be sure to try the delicious pastries, cheese breads and the famous mate-cola, a typical soft drink from the region, which are served on site.
Eat well, because then it will be another 27.5 km to the next destination, the District of Americaninha, which is part of the municipality of Novo Oriente de Minas.
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New East of Minas
The stop for lunch is at the Cantina Mundial Restaurant, in the Americaninha District, which belongs to the municipality of Novo Oriente de Minas.
Everything is very simple, however, the meals are prepared very hygienically and the humanized service is on the house.
The price is fair and the place to stay can also be arranged right there. Despite not having the comfort of a hotel or inn, the family receptive will provide you with the opportunity to get in touch with the daily life of those who live in a typical village in the interior of Minas Gerais.
Contact to schedule food and accommodation in the District of Americaninha:
Phone - WhatsApp: 55 (33) 99971-7393 with Jussara.
You have the option of not staying in the Americaninha District, however, you will cycle another 50 km to the city of Novo Oriente de Minas, which is the next place where there will be a hotel and inn.
However, know that depending on your pedaling pace, or any setbacks, you may be on the road during the night, which is not recommended.
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New East of Minas
About 50 km separate the District of Americaninha to the city of Novo Oriente de Minas.
This is one of the most beautiful parts of the Precious Stones Cycling Route.
Therefore, we recommend doing it calmly and appreciating each gem that the route offers.
On the way, and as a business card, you will see an iconic rock formation known as “Três Pedras”,
a great spot to take good pictures.
A little further on, there is the entrance to Cachoeira da Poaia, a place with a pleasant atmosphere, full of nature and a waterfall with a delicious bathing well. Ideal place to have a snack before arriving in the city of Novo Oriente de Minas.
Contact for scheduling to visit Cachoeira da Poaia and snack on site:
Phone - WhatsApp: 55 (33) 98814-04516.
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The city of Novo Oriente de Minas offers as main attractions the products of its typical cuisine.
You will be delighted with tasty greengrocers prepared by the locals and sold in the local markets.
The most famous cheese in the region is sold there.It is nothing less than an enterprise called Rei do Queijo, where in addition to being able to taste and buy this delicacy, you can also see its preparation at the very back of the establishment.
On the same street as Rei do Queijo, two emporiums sell handicrafts and other mouth-watering delicacies. They are: the Empório Delícias de Minas, with its cookies, bread, brown sugar, honey, among other products; and Cantin Mineiro, which has, in addition to culinary products, handicraft items to be taken away as a souvenir of the region.
These establishments are worth a visit!
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Peacock
From the city of Novo Oriente de Minas to the District of Limeira, which already belongs to the municipality of Pavão, it is about 15 km.
The tip is to enter the District for a break, recover your energy, drink some water and buy some food products at the local grocery stores, to have an unforgettable picnic by the Mucuri River, just ahead.
This is the last point of support before reaching the city of Pavão, which is about 41 km away. Therefore, leave early to enjoy the day and gain time to arrive in the city of Pavão and find the restaurants still open for lunch.
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Peacock
This section is also considered one of the most striking points of the Precious Stones Cycling Route. Although long, about 41 km, the route offers beautiful landscapes for cycling and stops to enjoy the scenery.
A suggested stop is on the banks of the Mucuri River, which borders a good part of the route.In one of the stretches, the Mucuri River forms a true freshwater beach, with sandbanks, trees and running water, which invites any cyclist for a delicious picnic and contemplation of nature. Be careful when bathing in the river, because in addition to the current, the area has slippery rocks, which facilitate an eventual fall.
Continuing the journey, another regional icon splendorly appears on the horizon. It's Pedra do Lambuza, an immense monolith that no one can't admire and be inspired to take beautiful pictures.
After the Stone, you will be close to reaching Pavão. Pay close attention to the final stretch of the route, which has 5 km of asphalt, where many vehicles pass through daily and there are still no signs indicating the presence of cyclists on the highway.
Upon arrival in Pavão you will find a typical town in the interior of Minas, with an air of tranquility, welcoming and beautiful squares that invite you to enjoy a delicious ice cream in the late afternoon. But before that, be sure to have lunch at one of the city's restaurants, which serve the traditional and unparalleled cuisine of Minas Gerais.
Congratulations, you have successfully completed the Precious Stones Cycling Route!
Now just pick up your certificate at the Pavão Culture and Tourism Division and rest in one of the city's lodgings.
We hope that you have enjoyed the experiences of this itinerary, and that you remember treasures to share with other adventurers! It was a pleasure having your company and we hope to see you soon!
Withdrawal of the Certificate of Completion of the Precious Stones Cycling Route in the city of Pavão:
Pavão Culture and Tourism Division
Rua Olegário Maciel, 18, Centro, Pavão - MG
From Monday to Friday,
from 8:00h to 12:00h and from 14:00h to 17:00h.