April 25, 2002
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Cantareira was the name given to the mountain range by the vendors that made commerce between Sao Paulo and the other regions of the country. This was due to the great amount of streams and creeks found in the area. At that time, they used to store water in jars called cântalos, and “cantareira” were the shelves where the cântalos were kept.
The tracks in the State Park of Cantareira are mainly characterized for offering the visitors the chance of a close and direct contact with the Atlantic Forest- by just being some kilometers away from the heart of Sao Paulo.
The track of the Great Rock, with 9,500m- is the longest one. It´s an old road with preserved asphalt. The high point of the track is the Great Rock. It´s great rocky granite outcrop, where due to its position, one can see a great part of the city.
This is the view we have from the Rock. It was a cloudy day, so the city is not clear… But the sensation is like being on top of the world…
Hope you can see somethig…
This track also gives access to the Lake of Carps, pleasant and practical area for physical excercises and appreciation of the surrounding nature and the fish in the lake. I did try to picture them, but they rarely came near to eat the pieces of bread the children were giving them…
By the end of the day, one will have walked at about 12km. And half of it going uphill. Hmm.. This place is indeed good for the body and mind… Isn´t it?
Ok, here I just tryed to be like Alice for a while…
I don´t know what it is, I just found it would make a good snap…hehe..
The disordered urban occupation is a process of difficult control in the periphery of a large city like Sao Paulo. This area has suffered several action of environment degradation due to the installation of clandestine land divisions.
Hope people keep in mind the importance of such a place, specially being next to an other jungle. The concrete one…
Next, there´s a picture I found from the Great Rock and the Natural Museum seen from above.
Here´s the rock as one reaches it after an hour hike…
Comments (11)
Wow.. wonderful pictures!!!!
What beautiful pictures and interesting information…
Simply Beautiful
…. Rosemary
How beautiful! Thanks for sharing those pictures! We have a mountain JUST LIKE the Great Rock (it may not be as big though as our mountains are fairly small.) Ours is called Stone Mountain (orginal, huh?
) Hope you had a great time! 
lovely pictures ~smiles~
Qual é a sensaçao de se auto dar eprops e comentar no próprio site? Ha, só queria saber… Meu Deus, preciso descansar…Já faço coisas estranhas…
Thank you Shy to have me walking 12 km along the tracks of the state parck of Cantareira . to see Sao Paulo . I appreciate forest and lake and I feel better . Thank you .
I am glad you have seen a Citroën in Sao Paulo .
Amitié à toi Michel
hey great pics! Seems u having loads of fun – keep enjoying.
Really liked the View from the rock reminds me of the place – I stayed in Germany.
Love & Peace – KV
Mother nature… so beautiful… yet men are out to destroy it
but she survives nonetheless 
It’s really a beautiful place
Have fun, lots of fun!!
Wow ~ fantastic pics!! I am still hoping to go work in Bolivia for a little while ~ hope the scenery there is as nice as in Brazil!