The experience begins at Canto dos Araçás, on the shores of the Conceição Lagoon. From there, we follow a hiking trail of approximately 6 km towards Costa da Lagoa, a traditional community in Florianópolis that is accessible only by trail or boat.
The route is pleasant and relatively flat, passing through the Atlantic Forest, small beaches, old paths, and buildings that help tell the storey of the region's settlement. During the hike, we make stops to observe the vegetation and talk about the nature, history and way of life of the communities that have developed along the shores of the lagoon.
One of the points along the way is the Casarão da Loquinha, a historic building that preserves memories of the settlement of Costa da Lagoa. We also visit an old flour mill, where we learn about the importance of manioc and mills to the local culture and to the daily life of the families who lived in this area.
Along the way, we also come across large garapuvu trees, which are closely linked to the culture of Santa Catarina Island and traditionally used in the construction of dugout canoes. Nature and heritage go hand in hand throughout the hike and help us understand the relationship between the Atlantic Forest, the lagoon and the local communities.
The hiking tour ends in Costa da Lagoa, where there is time to get to know the community and take a break. If you wish, you can dine at one of the local restaurants, especially known for their fish and seafood dishes.
To wrap up the experience, we give our boots a rest. The return is by regular boat, used for scheduled transport between the communities of Costa da Lagoa and other points around the Conceição Lagoon. In addition to being part of the local routine, the trip allows you to see the area we have just traversed from another angle.