Brazil · Bahia
Cachoeira da Fumaça
Smoke Falls
Water free-falls off a sandstone tableland in Chapada Diamantina and, in a strong breeze, never reaches the canyon floor at all, dispersing into smoke-like mist that gives the falls their name. The clifftop viewpoint after a demanding hike looks straight down the full drop rather than at it from below.
Water free-falls off a sandstone tableland in Chapada Diamantina and, in a strong breeze, never reaches the canyon floor at all, dispersing into smoke-like mist that gives the falls their name. The clifftop viewpoint after a demanding hike looks straight down the full drop rather than at it from below.
Cachoeira da Fumaça drops 340 metres (1116 ft) on the Rio Capivara, inside Chapada Diamantina National Park. It is a plunge-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Vale do Capão, with SSA the closest airport. Access to the main viewpoint is rated hard.
Dry season (Apr-Sep) is best for the strenuous clifftop hike; heavy rains make the trail slick.
What you can do here
Camping
Falls where you can legally sleep within earshot of the water.
Hiking
From ten-minute boardwalks to multi-day approaches through cloud forest.
Photography
Light angles, moonbows, spray management and the hours that actually work.
When to go
Dry season (Apr-Sep) is best for the strenuous clifftop hike; heavy rains make the trail slick.
Entry: Park entry fee ~$5 USD
Getting there
- Base townVale do Capão
- AirportSSA
- CountryBrazil
- RegionBahia, South America
- AccessHard — a serious approach: distance, altitude, a boat, or a guide
On the map
-12.6167, -41.4667
Quick answers
How tall is Cachoeira da Fumaça?
Cachoeira da Fumaça drops 340 metres (1116 feet). It is a plunge-type waterfall on the Rio Capivara.
When is the best time to visit Cachoeira da Fumaça?
Peak flow is April to August. Dry season (Apr-Sep) is best for the strenuous clifftop hike; heavy rains make the trail slick.
What can you do at Cachoeira da Fumaça?
Beyond the viewpoints: camping, hiking and photography. Access to the main viewpoint is rated hard — a serious approach: distance, altitude, a boat, or a guide.
How do you get to Cachoeira da Fumaça?
The usual base is Vale do Capão, and the closest airport is SSA. A serious approach: distance, altitude, a boat, or a guide from there. Park entry fee ~$5 USD.
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