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Ecological Sanctuary
Man working in harmony with nature.
Ecological Sanctuary


3 sections and 16 trails open to the public, each with a different objective and unique attractions.

CAUTIONS

Before setting off, visitors should confirm the conditions of the chosen trail, which depend on the status of weekly cleaning and pruning. We request the cooperation of all to help maintain the area’s ecological harmony and minimise risk of accidents, observing the Park Code of Conduct.



PARK CODE OF CONDUCT
Wear appropriate clothing.
No pets allowed.
Prevent fires.
Respect boundaries and proper entrances, observing fences and gates.
Stay on the trails.
Use the trashcans.
Keep water sources uncontaminated.
Use caution on the trails to prevent accidents.
Follow guides’ instructions.
10º Respect the park’s plant and animal life.



MAIN TRAILS (Levels of trail difficulty: Easy 1 2 3 4 5 Difficult)

JACÚ BIRD TRAIL(200 m) - GRADE 2
Sunlit and breezy trail that follows the highest point of the Chácara do Madeiro, 80m above sea level.
PIRATES’ TRAIL (100 m) - GRADE 4
Includes the thrilling rope staircase leading to the Bay of Madeiro, perfect for a sea dip.
FAIR MAIDEN’S PATH (400 m) - GRADE 3
Enchanting vistas through natural tunnel where hikers can play hide-and-seek with the sea.
BOA CONSTRICTOR TRAIL (340 m) - GRADE 3
Serpentine trail that plunges into the park’s most remote point, then rises to an emotional peak. .
HIKE OF THE PEROBA TREE (300 m) - GRADE 1
Charming trail that follows the contours of the cliffs of Madeiro Point, enjoying epic views — to the south, to the north.
CHORRÓ TRAIL (100 m) - GRADE 2
Small "appetiser" that takes visitors from the "waiting room" to the trailheads, as a test of physical condition for longer hikes.
ARMADILLO PATH (150 m) - GRADE 3
Loops visitors back to the entrance, in a mild climb that avoids contact with the road used by cars.
FIREFLY’S FLIGHT (200 m) - GRADE 2 Zigzag trail celebrating the tiny insect that enchants dark winter nights. Ends at the Maracajá staircase.
CHAMELEON’S TRAIL (600 m) - GRADE 4
As the name suggests, this is a trail with incredible variations of colour, climate, views and other points of interest.
MARACAJÁ DESCENT (90 m) - GRADE 4
Steep trail that drops from the magical Mirante da Meia-Lua ("Half-Moon Lookout") to the Espelho da Lua Cheia ("Mirror of the Full Moon").
OLD CASTLE STEPS (90 m) - GRADE 4
To the invigorating beat of the waves, this staircase drops from the point of Toca da Caipora to the luminous small beach below, for frequent sightings of boats and dolphins.
ADVENTURE TRAIL (150 m) - GRADE 1
Just for children! Full of surprises!
Pick up our special pamphlet to participate in this fun activity.



History - The creation of the Ecological Sanctuary

Chácara do Madeiro is simultaneously a historic monument, ecological reserve and laboratory of the future.

It was here that, in 1980, Charles Capelle, electrical engineer in charge of the huge ITAIPU project (hydroelectric dam on Brazil’s southern border), took refuge from the ills of civilisation in an attempt to establish a more balanced lifestyle, based on self-sustenance.

Since the sixteenth century, the area has been susceptible to logging, yet this is one of the few local forests still characterised by the endangered Pau-Brasil (Brazilwood) tree. During the nineteenth century, this expanse of land pertained to the vast João Armógenas ranch, whose last remaining slaves (Dona Joaquina and Dona Antonia) passed away only a few years ago in Pipa.

More recently, the Madeiro has been in the hands of the local Borges family, which leases the area for planting and cattle pasturing. Through efforts initiated in 1976, forest growth has begun to be recuperated and revitalised, though it will be many more years before it reaches the noble heights of yore.

At the time when Charles Capelle moved here Pipa had no source of electricity or water, and at times food was scarce. But with a spirit of adventure he found creative solutions for all the problems he encountered. While cultivating his orchid garden and miniature trees, he also dedicated himself to works of fine art, some of which are on display at the museum named in his honour.

Currently the Chácara is the location of an incipient science experiment: the training and releasing of wild animals with the aim of repopulating the region by means of controlled reintroduction of its original fauna. To this end, support is provided by Natal’s Centre for Recuperation and Reintroduction of Wild Animals (CERRAS), and by a team of dedicated volunteers.

In order not to jeopardise this work and to maintain the area’s delicate ecological balance, we ask visitors to respect the Park Code of Conduct ("Código de Comportamento na Mata") printed on the back of your entrance ticket.

Following are some annotations about the principle trails criss-crossing the reserve, where you can uncover secrets of plant life and animal life and a few of Pipa’s legends.

1) JACÚ BIRD TRAIL - Sunny, serene trail leading to the Chácara’s highest point, where a fire tower offers a panoramic view of the region’s forest cover. Deep in this shelter is found one of the Sanctuary’s most endangered birds, the JACÚ.

2) BOA CONSTRICTOR TRAIL - Shady and serpentine trail on which an enormous boa constrictor was found in 1980. At the trail’s lowest point and most remote corner of the park, wild animals can be observed sating their thirst at a small pool.

3) FAIR MAIDEN’S PATH - tenchanting trail at the ocean’s edge (at an altitude of 70m!) where at any moment you might happen upon the evanescent goddess of the forest. But the trail’s namesake and beautiful maiden is even more elusive...

4) HIKE OF THE PEROBA TREE - this spacious trail takes hikers through a charming tunnel beneath twisted pororoca and peroba branches, ending at the precipitous Madeiro Point. Dolphins and sea tortoises can be sighted diving in the waves, and views of the coast extend north to Tabatinga Point and south as far as Cabo Verde Point.

Ecological Sanctuary
Man working in harmony with nature. Thinking globally, acting locally...
Ecological Sanctuary
Man working in harmony with nature. Thinking globally, acting locally...
Saguis (little monkeys)
They are very common in the area and quite tame due to the amount of contact they’ve had with humans.
Bem-te-vi bird
The most popular bird of our country, and very present in Praia da Pipa, the "bem-te-vi" (Great Kiskadee) has regular rounded wings and elongated tail.
Hummingbirds
One of the most appreciated inhabitants of Praia da Pipa are the swift and enchanting hummingbirds.
Egrets
The Great Egret (Ardea Alba) enchants us with its grace. It is a bird of the Pelecaniformes family, very common around lakes, rivers and wetlands.
Iguana
In Praia da Pipa it is common to meet one of these exotic reptiles on branches, on the beaches and on roofs, where they recharge their solar batteries in order to keep their cold blood warm.
Lavadeira
Our little friends who sing and enchant in Pipa Beach measure an average length of 16 centimeters, with distinct white and black markings, and emit a long and strident whistle.
Sabiá-da-Praia
Anyone who has heard or seen the tropical mockingbird knows what a curious bird it is.
Timbu
The white eared opossum, or Timbu, as it is known here in the region, is famous for its unpleasant smell which emanates from its armpits when threatened.
Vulture
This vulture, apart from being an expert glider which performs the function of cleaning exposed animal detritus, is also known as an excellent aerial hunter.