Chapada Diamantina — Morro do Pai Inacio
Lencois (10km)
Quick Facts
Pitches
2
Approach
40 min from parking
Climb Time
1.5-2.5 hours
Elevation Gain
300m
Best Season
April, May, June…
Total Day
half day
About This Route
Pai Inacio is the iconic table-top mesa that appears in every Chapada Diamantina photo — a flat sandstone plateau 300m above the valley floor with a view over the famous sea of clouds that pools in the valleys at sunset. Two pitches of sandstone scramble/climbing bring you to the plateau. This is where most visiting climbers start in Chapada — the coarse sandstone is friction-dependent and pocket-heavy, teaching you the rock character before harder objectives. Come for the sunset. The summit light at 5:30PM is worth flying to Bahia by itself.
The Crux
Pitch 1 — 5.8 crack-to-slab transition on coarse sandstone, first 8 meters, hands in the crack then feet smear right on the slab, committing move off the belay ledge
Warnings
- Sandstone holds crumble differently than granite — test all holds before weighting
- IBAMA park entry required — R$30/person, buy online in advance
- Rainy season Nov-Feb makes sandstone dangerously slick — do not climb
Required Gear
- 50m rope
- 8 quickdraws
- helmet
- climbing shoes or approach shoes with sticky soles
Minimum Gear
- rope
- harness
- belay device
- 5 quickdraws
Guided Options
Guide operator
Guias do Diamantefrom R$280/person
Some links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no cost to you. We only recommend operators and lodging we have personally vetted.
Where to Eat After
- R$45-80
Restaurante Necos in Lencois
Bahian restaurant
- R$20-45
Cozinha Aberta on the town square
casual local restaurant
Where to Stay
- R$140-240/night
Pousada dos Duendes
pousada
- R$160-290/night
Pousada Villa Serrano
pousada
Some links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no cost to you. We only recommend operators and lodging we have personally vetted.
Climber Reports
“Loved the experience! The hike is long, but totally worth it. The view at the top of the mountain was breathtaking — the sea of clouds at sunset over Chapada is something I will never forget.”