Discover Brazil and Explore the Geodiversity and Fossils of the Southern Canyons Pathways Geopark
- Wayne Munday
- Sep 2
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 10
Sip back and discover Brazil and explore the Southern Canyons Pathways UNESCO Global Geopark or Caminhos dos Cânions do Sul UNESCO Global Geopark. Spanning the states of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul. Located in the southern Brazilian highlands and coastal plains the geopark anchored is by the Serra Geral Mountain Range part of the vast Paraná-Etendeka flood basalts formed during the Early Cretaceous. The geopark features towering basalt cliffs, deep canyons like Itaimbezinho and Fortaleza, hidden gorges such as Malacara and Churriado, and high cascading waterfalls including Cascata dos Venâncios. The fossil-rich Botucatu Sandstones preserves trace fossils of paleotocas the large Pliocene – Pleistocene burrows excavated by extinct megafauna of Giant Ground Sloths (Mylodon) and Armadillos (Propraopus). Classified as Megaichnus they can be seen at the geoparks notable geosites of Xocleng Paleotoca and Toca do Tatu. The geopark is also a biodiversity hotspot, supporting highland grasslands, Atlantic Forest and endangered species like the Vinaceous-Breasted Amazon Parrot (Amazona vinacea), rare amphibians, orchids and bromeliads.
The Southern Canyons Pathways UNESCO Global Geopark is shaped by ancient volcanic activity, the landscape is defined by dramatic basalt cliffs, deep canyons and high-altitude ecosystems protected within the Serra Geral National Park. Accessible through the gateway towns of Cambará do Sul, Praia Grande and Mampituba the Geopark is a landscape of towering escarpments, labyrinthine valleys with a thriving biodiversity that conceals its fossil record.
At the heart of the geopark lies the Serra Geral Formation part of the Paraná-Etendeka flood basalts one of the world’s largest covering about one million square kilometers spread across southern Brazil, Uruguay and parts of Paraguay within the Paraná Basin. Formed around 134 million years ago during the Early Cretaceous when South America was part of Gondwana and the opening of the South Atlantic triggered colossal lava eruptions. These events are believed to have been influenced by the deep-seated mantle hotspot known as the Tristan da Cunha Plume.
Over millions of years, rivers carved through the volcanic shield, creating spectacular canyons, sheer cliffs and deep gorges such as at Itaimbezinho Canyon in Aparados da Serra National Park. Nearby, Fortaleza Canyon within the Serra Geral National Park presents a vast network of ridges and ravines, while lesser-known hidden gorges like Malacara and Churriado offer secluded, dramatic landscapes for adventurous visitors.
Adding to the region’s natural beauty are cascading waterfalls, such as Cascata dos Venâncios, which tumble over volcanic rock into tranquil forested pools. These cliffs reveal stacked basalt layers interbedded with lighter sandstones of the Botucatu Formation that preserves a story of a harsh desert.
The Botucatu Formation is one of the most extensive desert deposits in South America. This vast aeolian or wind-blown sandstone is found within the Paraná Basin and reaches across Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina. Formed between the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous the Botucatu Formation was once an ancient sand sea or paleoerg of sand dunes that under extremely arid conditions has been preserved as rock.
Despite the aridity, the Botucatu Formation preserves a rich record of trace fossils including vertebrate tracks and burrows which reveal the behaviour and adaptation of animals in this environment. The Botucatu Formation preserves a significant ichnofauna as the prevailing desert conditions were not conducive to the preservation of the body fossils of larger animals.
Among the most interesting trace fossils of the Botucatu Formation and the focus of the geoparks fossil record are the paleotocas, paleoburrows or fossil tunnels. These are the large tunnels and chambers excavated by extinct South American megafauna such as Giant Ground Sloths and Armadillos including the genus of Mylodon and Propraopus respectively. Belonging to the basal superclade of specialised placental mammals called Xenarthra who date back over 100 million years.
The paleotocas of the Southern Canyons Pathways UNESCO Global Geopark were excavated between 8,000 - 10,000 years. They feature scratches and grooves on their internal walls and range from smaller tunnels up to 1.5 meters in diameter to larger chambers reaching 2 meters in height and 4 meters in width.
These ichnofossils of large, cylindrical to elliptical, sub-horizontal tunnels and dwellings known as Domichnia provide valuable insights into past paleoenvironmental conditions and the distribution of these ancient animals. Paleotocas have been classified under THE designation of Megaichnus with two ichnospecies identified so far as M. major (2 m tall and 4 m wide) and M. minor (0.9–1.4 m in diameter).
Today, 24 paleotocas have been catalogued within the geopark, with four recognised as geosites of regional and international importance - many more paleotocas have been found in the region . Among the most notable geosites is the Xocleng Paleotoca the largest known paleoburrow in the geopark featuring three interconnected underground galleries extending over 100 meters. Likely dug by Giant Ground Sloths and Armadillos the tunnels preserve claw marks and branching chambers. Another significant geosite is Toca do Tatu or “Armadillo Lair” where a near 50 meter paleoburrow is found also attributed to Giant Sloths. This site was also later reused by Indigenous peoples who left geometric rock art.
Wildlife thrives throughout Southern Canyons Pathways UNESCO Global Geopark from Capuchin Monkeys, Coati, Maned Wolves and elusive Puma. The mineral-rich soils support a diverse ecosystems from highland grasslands to Atlantic Forest providing habitats for endangered species such as the The Vinaceous-Breasted Amazon Parrot (Amazona vinacea), rare amphibians, orchids, and colourful bromeliads perched high on the branches of rainforest trees.
Visitors can explore the landscape via trails such as the Rio Tigre Preto Trail, Rio do Boi Trail, and routes to Malacara Canyon, waterfalls like Cachoeira dos Borges and coastal viewpoints at Guarita Park and Morro do Farol, where basalt and sandstone meet to form rare peperites. The Southern Canyons Pathways Geopark offers a must-do immersive adventure.
