When I decided to take a beach break on Floripa, hiking was the last thing on my mind. However, locals kept on describing how magical the remote beach and lagoon are. Therefore, I decided to trade in my sliders for trainers… oh wow, it’s been a while. Hiking to Lagoinha do Leste became my favourite activity on the Ilha da Magia apart from surfing.
At the end of your hike, you will be rewarded with the clearest bright turquoise ocean and the least crowded beach that can be found on Floripa. The shallow edge of the lagoon allows you to sit in the warm water reminiscing those days when you had access to a bathtub. Can you tell I had been travelling for a while at this point?
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HIKING TO LAGOINHA DO LESTE
There are two different hikes leading to Lagoinha do Leste. The longer trail takes approximately 2.30 hours and the shorter 1 hour. I recommend taking off early in the morning, as well as hiking the longer route to Lagoinha do Leste and the shorter on your way back.
Trilha Matadeiro: The Longer Hike.
The start of the hiking trail can be reached by walking to the end of Praia Matadeiro. The path will split several times, but there are signs for Lagoinha do Leste along the way. At the start, the trail will take you through a dense montane forest. Here you might even come across monkeys or armadillos.
The signs stop once you are out of the woods although the path continues to split into different directions. You can choose to either hike uphill or along the oceanfront to enjoy the extraordinary views over the sparkling, deep blue water. All paths will lead to the end of the beach furthest away from the restaurants.
The trek itself isn’t difficult although the heat can be exhausting. There is a lot of walking uphill and most of the trek is exposed to the sun. Bring enough water and don’t come back as a lobster!
Trilha Lagoinha Do Leste do Pântano do Sul: The Shorter Hike.
The shorter trail starts behind the restaurants. Shortly after setting off from the beach, there will be a path split, simply follow the left path. The trail ends at the top of the hill in the small town of Pântano do Sul.
This hike to Lagoinha do Leste lacks beautiful views. But it is far less strenuous leading you through the shade of a montane forest and on the way back the path is mostly downhill.
The Hike To The Viewpoint.
We missed out on the incredible view over the lagoon and wide ocean the famous Pico da Coroa has to offer. We only realised on our way back that the famous rock is on a different trail starting at the end of the beach close to the Trilha Lagoinha Do Leste do Pântano do Sul.
SURFING
Lagoinha do Leste is an exposed beach break and has reliable breaks. Although I am not sure you want to carry a surfboard with you. When I visited there weren’t any surfboards for rent although not every hut was open.
Changed your mind? Head here for Florianópolis dunes and best beaches.
HOW TO GET TO LAGOINHA DO LESTE
To get to the starting points of the trails you can either take an Uber or local buses. Another option would be to take a speed boat from Pântano do Sul or Armação directly to the lagoon for around R$ 20.
At this point, it is good to note that buses only run roughly every 30 minutes. Therefore, the journey can take up to 2 hours. A single ticket fare is R$ 4.25. Hold onto your first ticket when changing buses at the Terminal Integracao Do Rio Tavares (TIRIO). No second fare is charged when changing bus here. I don’t understand the logic but who am I to question a free journey.
How To Get To The Matadeiro Trail.
We took an Uber for approximately 20-minutes from Campeche to Praia Matadeiro for R$ 22. In order to take a bus from Campeche or Lagoa Da Conceição do the following:
Campeche, Avenida Pequeno Príncipe 2939, bus 462 or 464, 10-minutes; or Lagoa Da Conceição, bus stop Tilag, bus 841 or 843, 30-minutes ► TIRIO change to bus 563 or 564, 30-minutes ► Avenida Antônio Borges dos Santos ► walk to the start of the trail, 4-minutes
How To Get To Pântano Do Sul.
Campeche, Avenida Pequeno Príncipe 2939, bus 462 or 464, 10-minutes; or Lagoa Da Conceição, bus stop Tilag, bus 841 or 843, 30-minutes ► TIRIO change to bus 564, 40-minutes ► Rodovia Francisco Thomaz dos Santos ► walk to the start of the trail, 4-minutes
WHAT TO PACK
There are restaurants but make sure to bring plenty of sun cream and water. Locals walked the shorter trail in flip-flops although I would recommend wearing trainers.
Did I do a good job in making you want to hike to this remote lagoon? Let me know in the comments which trail to Lagoinha do Leste you choose to follow.
Now go ahead and explore! Try not to lose your towel.
