Find out about the zip line that connects São Bernardo to Cubatão – 07/19/2023 – Tourism

There are not many ceremonies to hang from the steel cables of the half-kilometer long zip line that, since last month, has been taking tourists from São Bernardo do Campo, in the metropolitan region of São Paulo, to Cubatão, in the Baixada Santista region, to a speed that can reach 60 km/h.

After purchasing tickets in advance, which cost between R$60 and R$149, and a pleasant trip along the road that leads to the Serra do Mar State Park, the process is less bureaucratic than what might be expected for an adventure to 110 meters high — but that doesn’t translate into a feeling of insecurity.

The first step is to go to the Casa de Visitas, built in 1926, to fill out a life insurance policy that can briefly increase the tension of the most fearful —on a photo of a man with open arms towards the sunset, expressions such as ” accidental death” and “disability”. Afterwards, employees in a small room help to put on all the security gear.

With helmet and seat ready and trinkets such as necklaces and rings duly removed, it’s time to head towards the platform where “the flight departs”. The instructors give brief guidelines: it is not allowed to perform stunts such as standing upside down or raising your hands towards the cables.

In addition, there is a small parachute to be released to reduce the speed of the trip and increase the contemplation time. After the “ok”, just lean on the chair and let go of the body, without needing any impulse.

The route, which can be done individually or in pairs, with each person tied to their respective cables and seated side by side, takes about one minute. It starts surrounded by trees and, halfway up, reveals a beautiful landscape that, on clear days, includes a good part of the coast of Santos and cities like Praia Grande and São Vicente.

From below, the view is also worth it. From more than 100 meters high, it is possible to see the tops of many trees and small streams of the Caminhos do Mar conservation unit, an integral part of the park that represents the largest continuous and preserved portion of the Atlantic Forest in Brazil. It’s like watching footage recorded by a drone.

Once in Cuban territory, the quick zip line ride can end with the return of about a kilometer to the parking lot —which can be done on foot or in one of the vans in the park, for R$35— or be joined by one of the trails within Caminhos do Mar, which since 2021 has been under the responsibility of Parquetur.

Ziplining is just one part of the 30-year concession project which, according to Michelle Pelosini, operations manager at Caminhos do Mar, also includes the construction of a playground, a camping site and the execution of environmental projects.

“The zip line is the first inside a conservation unit in the state of São Paulo, and for the project we had to prune and cut some trees, so there was an environmental compensation”, he says.

Maintaining the space also involves banning personal objects hanging from the body during the descent, such as slippers, jewelry and cell phones, which could fall into the forest. “It’s not just for the sake of visitor safety, but for the preservation of the fauna around the zip line.”

Another point present in the concession conditions is the restoration of historic monuments. Just on the perimeter that Parquetur owned, known for being sung by Roberto Carlos in “As Curvas da Estrada de Santos”, there are nine century-old buildings made by the French architect Victor Dubugras.

One of them is Pouso Paranapiacaba, which is 101 years old, where Café 1922 was installed. a coffee (R$8.90) or for wines whose bottles cost between R$115 and R$680. It is a strategic stop overlooking a beautiful horizon, but on the weekend there can be long queues.

The other constructions, such as Calçada do Lorena, are on the route of walks that cover distances of 3.5 km to 8 km. Until the last day of July, the zip line ticket guarantees entry to the park. After that period, the extra tour will cost R$40.

All Caminhos do Mar routes can be done without a guide. The exception is the Adventure Route, 4.5 km long, which ends in a swim in Cachoeira da Torre with a partial view of Baixada Santista and which needs to be scheduled.

In addition to air and land adventures, the park also offers kayak, stand up paddle and canoe rides that last 40 minutes and cost from R$40. cool off with a dip.