National Parks around Canela
The main attraction of Canela is the surrounding countryside and ecological parks. These areas bring home the vastness and beauty of Brazil.

The first area we visited was the Parque da Ferradura, which was stunning. This is one of the least 'touristy' parks in the region. It has a number of trails on which you could walk for miles in the mountains. It also has some wonderful 'mirantes' or panorama viewing points (I can't remember the word for these in English!).

I was able to see monkeys and ring-tailed coati in the wild and the area as a whole is full of the spectacular Pinheiro-do-Parana (Parana pine or candelabra tree). These trees are about 35 metres tall, with straight trunks and horizontal branches which form a flat-top to the tree. They are very impressive.