Buraco do Padre, Campos Gerais National Park

Furna do Buraco do Padre is one of the most beautiful natural attractions in the Campos Gerais, in the state of Paraná, South of Brazil.

It is located within the Campos Gerais National Park, on the eastern border of the Paraná Basin, approximately 24 km east/southeast of the city of Ponta Grossa, in the district of Itaiacoca. It is a furna that occurs at the intersection of geological faults and fractures that cut the sandy rocks of the Furnas Formation. These faults and fractures have caused underground erosion of the sandstone. The access to the interior of the cave is through the bed of the Quebra-Pedra River, with the occurrence of an impressive waterfall. Inside Buraco do Padre there are remarkable exposures of Furnas Formation sandstones, with their typical cross and plane-parallel stratifications.

Since 2002 it is one of Brazil's geological sites, as defined by the Brazilian Commission of Geological and Paleobiological Sites. It was the refuge of the Jesuits, owners of the Pitangui land confiscations that also sheltered the old troop road. Its name was given by the caboclos and muleteers who passed through there. Climbing is prohibited.

The name of the place is linked to the history of the Jesuit priests who meditated there. Buraco do Padre is a cave that has an imposing 30-meter waterfall inside, formed by the Quebra Perna River. It is a kind of underground amphitheater. To access the cave it is necessary to walk 1 km along a trail with the presence of natural obstacles. Access is easy, but people with limited mobility may have difficulty climbing the rocks.

It is located in the Itaiacoca Region and is a Conservation Unit; camping is not allowed in this area. In 2005, it became part of the then created Campos Gerais National Park.

Access to the site is via Rodovia do Talco km 14. From UEPG's Uvaranas Campus, travel 16 km and turn right on an unpaved road. After 6 km turn left to access Buraco do Padre.

Near the Park are the Kaffee Loch and Porto Brazos Winery, where you can enjoy good food and drink.