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    In 1682, the bandeirante Bartolomeu Bueno da Silva (Anhanguera), accompanied by his 12-year-old son of the same name, made his first foray into the Goyazes backlands in search of gold. After many kilometers, they camped in a region where the Indians wore gold ornaments. Bartolomeu Bueno asked the Indians where they had found the precious metal. They refused to answer. The bandeirante then poured liquor into a cuíca (water jug) and set it on fire, saying they would do the same to their rivers if they didn't show them where the gold was. Frightened by this, the Indians began calling him Anhanguera, meaning Old Devil, and took him to the foot of a large mountain range. Bartolomeu Bueno collected a large quantity of gold from the riverbed and returned to São Paulo. He died in 1700, taking with him the secret of his discovery.

     Bartolomeu Bueno da Silva Filho, kept silence until 1720 when he offered King D. João V to rediscover the mines he visited as a child. He departed in 1722 and only in 1725 he found a tribe where indigenous people told the story of the old devil, who had the power to set the waters. Bartolomeu presented himself as son of Anhanguera, the Indians felt the same fear, led him to the same river as a child. After returning to Sao Paulo, Bartolomeu Filho returns in 1726 to Goiás, in a new expedition, to begin the exploration of mines, with the first mining in the region of Rio Vermelho.

    These trails opened by the bandeirantes would be used by many other explorers. August de Saint-Hilaire, the famous French botanist and naturalist, visited the backlands of Goiás around 1819 and wrote the book "Journey to the Province of Goiás," describing in detail the entire route he traveled. Besides identifying and cataloging plants, he also narrates the customs of the time. Another explorer was Raimundo José da Cunha Matos, governor of Goiás from 1823 to 1826. This position, created in 1821 by the Courts of Lisbon, separated the civil and military powers of the provinces. The governor of Goiás was responsible for ensuring order and maintaining discipline.

    Even today, these trails are traveled by explorers, for a variety of reasons, including learning about these stories, admiring the landscapes, and overcoming challenges. In addition to walking, as was done in the past, explorers now use bicycles to overcome difficulties and move along the trail. The Cora Coralina Trail was created based on the accounts of these ancient travelers, who detailed the places they passed through.

     With extensive research and dedication, it was possible to identify the route closest to the route used by ancient explorers. Throughout the trail, verses by the poet who inspired the trail's name, Cora Coralina, offer us, beyond the beauty of the verses, lessons of life and resilience. Along the way, one can see the richness of the Cerrado biome, its fauna and flora, and often see the still-preserved material heritage. Churches, museums, monuments, farms, rivers, mountains, and much of what was seen and built during Brazil's colonial period remain along the way, moving those who venture to explore the Colonial Roads of Goiás and the Cora Coralina Trail.

 

Itinerary Summary:

> Duration: 5 hours

> Driving distance: 45 km

> Activity distance: 21 km (dirt road)

> Trip category: Hiking, trekking; Cycling, Mountain Biking; Car.

> Difficulty: Intermediate

> Temperature: Average temperatures (15°C to 38°C)

> Weather: Dry season from April to September; Rainy season from October to March.

> What's included in the itinerary: Tour guide (Check transportation prices if necessary).

> What's not included: Snacks, trekking, mountain bike, and protective equipment, and personal medication.

  

What to bring:

> Light clothing, cap or equivalent, sunglasses, long pants, raincoat;

> Insect repellent and sunscreen;

> Sufficient water (at least 2 liters per person);

> Comfortable and appropriate footwear (hiking boots);

> A small backpack;

> Personal medication and antihistamines if you have any allergies;

> Snacks;

> Cell phone;

> Flashlight;

> Hand sanitizer or 70% liquid alcohol;

> Protective mask.

 

     Guide Tip: Bring swimwear and enjoy the historic rivers of Goiás. Create beautiful memories that will last a lifetime.

     

Itinerary Schedule:

 

We will leave Goiás City in the morning for Cruz do Chico Mineiro, our first attraction.

From there, we will continue 4.5 km to the old Arraial do Ouro Fino, where the ruins of the Ouro Fino Church are located. Near the ruins, we can visit the Cachoeirinha do Rio Prata, a waterfall approximately 3 meters high with a pool suitable for swimming.

We will continue 2 km to the entrance of the Quarry of São Sebastião, the Holy Fujão. From the entrance to the quarry, it is 500 meters. We will return to the road and head towards the old Arraial do Ferreiro, where Arraial do Ferreiro and the Church of São João Batista are located. This stretch is 8 km long and offers beautiful scenery along the way.

From the church, we'll continue for approximately 2 km until we reach the highway. From Dalí to Goiás, the route is 4 km.

 

 

 

Detailed itinerary:

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       Estimated Time                    Location / Activity                                        Km Trail

       

         00:00                                           Departure from Goiás City                              

         00:20                                         Cruz do Chico Mineiro                                   km 0

         01:30                                       Ouro Fino Ruins                                   Km 4.5

02:50                                         Saint Sebastian Quarry                              km 7

          03:45                                             Red River                                                km 14.5

         04:00                                       Church of Saint John the Baptist                              km 15

04:20                                         Asphalt                                                               km 17

         05:00                                         Arrival in Goiás                                       Km 21

        

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