Climbing Pico da Bandeira from the Espírito Santo side
Pico da Bandeira stands at 2,892 m — Brazil's third-highest point and the highest in both Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais, inside Caparaó National Park. From the Espírito Santo side, access is through the Pedra Menina gate in Dores do Rio Preto, continuing up to Casa Queimada, the trailhead for the summit.
Updated September 2026
Quick facts
- Altitude of Pico da Bandeira
- 2,892 m — Brazil's third-highest point
- Espírito Santo access
- Pedra Menina gate, Dores do Rio Preto — ES
- Trailhead
- Casa Queimada
- Distance from the inn
- 1.5 km to the gate · 9.9 km (23-minute drive) to Casa Queimada
- Best season
- May to August — drier, colder weather
Access from Espírito Santo
Access from Espírito Santo
The entrance is the Pedra Menina gate. From there you drive up to Casa Queimada, where the summit trail begins. Starting from Pousada Alto das Colinas, it's 1.5 km to the gate and 9.9 km — about 23 minutes — to Casa Queimada.
One important note: the park has other gates — Alto Caparaó (Minas Gerais) and Ibitirama (Espírito Santo) are the ones most cited in generic guides, but they are on the other side of the range. Staying in Pedra Menina, you always enter through the Pedra Menina gate.
Visiting rules, tickets and booking are set by ICMBio, the agency that runs the park — check the official channels before your trip. If in doubt, ask the inn on WhatsApp: we help with the local logistics.
Sunrise at the summit
Sunrise at the summit
From the summit, the view is a 360° panorama above the clouds — and seeing it at daybreak is why most people climb in the small hours, still in the dark. Nobody leaves here on an empty stomach: breakfast, included in the rate, is served from 7:30 to 10:00 am — but the inn caters to earlier departures too, just arrange it when you book. Back from the trail, a warm bed waits: every suite has heated sheets.
When to climb
The best window is May to August, when the weather is drier and colder — the classic season for sunrise at the summit. Staying longer? The range holds other mountaineering routes, such as Pico do Calçado and Pico do Cristal.
What to bring
This is a real mountain: even in summer, the small hours are cold. Bring proper cold-weather layers, a windbreaker, a headlamp and trail shoes. Water and snacks for the way make a difference too.
Where to stay
Where to stay
Pousada Alto das Colinas, in Dores do Rio Preto, is a base for the Espírito Santo route: 10 double suites with heated sheets and breakfast included, 1.5 km from the Pedra Menina gate. Rates from R$450 to R$860 per night.