As winding as basic Las Caracoles from Argentina to Chile, the route by way of the Serra do Rio do Rastro south of Santa Catarina is taken into account one of the stunning in Brazil.
Formally often known as SC-390, the stretch between the municipalities of Lauro Müller and Bom Jardim da Serra within the decrease a part of the highway is known for its steep climbs and cliffs in addition to its terrifying sharp bends.
Nevertheless, businessmen within the business and the inhabitants of the area are apprehensive concerning the attraction, because the analysis of Vallya Advisors Assessoria Financeira Ltda was chosen on the premise of a future public announcement for the concession on using the positioning.
The proposal for the Mirante da Serra do Rio do Rastro Vacationer Advanced envisions an funding of roughly R$120 million over 30 years and proposes, amongst different companies, an exterior ice rink, a synthetic ski station and an overwater cable automobile. highway with a price of as much as 30 million US {dollars}.
“The successful mission doesn’t pay homage to Serra do Rio do Rastro itself, the nice hero of Serra do Rio do Rastro. So far as we all know, it’s an architecturally aggressive construction,” says Benito Sbruzzi, chairman of the Municipal Tourism Council (COMTUR) and Bom Jardim is the tourism supervisor for the municipality of Serra.
A technical standpoint was missing for him, because the successful mission was judged solely by the submission of paperwork and didn’t respect the concord between structure and nature.
The brand new complicated will occupy the present viewpoint space overlooking the Serra do Rio do Rastro.
Picture: Description
It needs to be one thing viable, not only a white elephant. We would like improvement, however our historical past, tradition and mountains also needs to be revered.” Benito Sbruzzi
Benito believes that the perfect mission is one with an structure that doesn’t compete with the setting and distorts the panorama.
Different facet
The research, chosen by the Santa Catarina Authorities on the finish of final yr, is a part of the PMI (Curiosity Expression Process), a software aimed toward acquiring non-public sector subsidies for a selected partnership. The process is likely one of the steps earlier than the bidding course of for the funding and exploration of the positioning.
The mission will host a brand new leisure space, cabins and a restaurant, accessible by cable automobile.
Picture: Description
needed by OursThe successful firm introduced that it was a reference mission, a proposal that “strengthens the contemplation factors of the mountain, increasing the customer’s expertise”.
“We perceive that this place has an immeasurable tourism potential that draws native guests and vacationers from throughout Brazil. For this to occur, a broad funding plan in native infrastructure is envisaged”, explains Maurício Taufic Guaiana, considered one of Vallya’s companions.
For Nelma Baldin, creator of the e book “Uma Serra com História: A Serra do Rio do Rastro”, printed in 2020, the proposal offered doesn’t embody the restoration of the historical past of this pure attraction and doesn’t embody websites. akin to environmental schooling.
It’s a solely and completely for-profit mission. For me, this type of vacationer exploitation hurts the mountains and I do not agree with him.” nelma bald
Then again, Maurício says the mission has broad historic attraction and even features a museum and an area to show the realm’s handicrafts.
The mission picture exhibits the ice rink, domes and cable automobile within the complicated.
Picture: Description
Based on Structure and Engineering Research, Ours had entry, the present viewpoint is positioned within the Everlasting Conservation Space, on the sting of the Serra do Rio do Rastro.
Subsequently, within the technique of making ready the general public assertion, it’s endorsed that these areas be mapped for a potential want to manage already-populated APPs and “compatibility of future professions with respect to the makes use of and frameworks permitted by legislation”.
The identical research factors out that the attraction “lacks fundamental and touristic infrastructure”, akin to signage within the parking zone, which is at present paid by customers, and ample cleansing and hygiene provides within the restrooms.
The vacationer complicated will occupy one of the privileged spots of Serra do Rio do Rastro.
Picture: Description
The mission additionally proposes a shopping center, considerate viewpoints and a rural resort core with 42 models and costs as much as R$600 per day.
One of many criticisms identified by tourism director Benito Sbruzzi to the report is the proposal to construct an underground automobile park on basalt rock.
Nevertheless, Vallya recollects that his mission was run by a workforce “with in depth expertise in pure park tasks” and didn’t point out such a parking zone among the many proposals for the longer term concessionaire.
Regarding environmental schooling, it’s contractually stipulated {that a} proportion of the concessionaire’s gross working revenue shall be returned to so-called Macro-themes akin to environmental schooling and entrepreneurship.
Based on Benito, this week the inhabitants is scheduling a gathering to lift these and different inquiries to the district administration.
Among the many most stunning roads on the earth
The winding highway that cuts by way of the Serra do Rio do Rastro in Santa Catarina was as soon as thought-about one of many 10 most scenic roads on the earth.
Picture: Getty Pictures/iStockphoto
At present, the Serra do Rio do Rastro highway will be seen from a vantage level positioned in Bom Jardim da Serra, geared up with parking, public bathrooms, metallic railings, kiosks promoting drinks and fast snacks, and Bom Jardim da Serra Craftsmen Affiliation.
The customer understands why the highway was included in The Guardian’s listing of the ten most scenic roads on the earth in 2015, at this strategic level at an altitude of 1,460 meters.
Within the British newspaper’s description, it is “an absurdly winding route by way of waterfalls, canyons and spectacular surroundings”.
Filled with bends, the Serra do Rio do Rastro is a problem behind the wheel, however it makes up for it with its stunning views.
Picture: Getty Pictures
To provide you an concept of the expertise, the six zig-zag kilometers that minimize by way of the mountains between the slopes of Serra Geral has 284 bends and its peaks provide a view for as much as 100 kilometers on clear days.
At present, the mountain is likely one of the primary points of interest of Serra Catarinense.
“That is our manner of transporting agricultural produce, primarily apples and cattle, however there are vacationers who go to the realm simply to go up or down the mountains,” Benito says.
What’s it wish to drive in Serra do Rio do Rastro?
However the stunning and scenic SC-390 calls for consideration behind the wheel.
This slim lane highway doesn’t permit overtaking as it’s not potential to see the autos in the other way in most locations.
The highway doesn’t permit overtaking and on foggy days upkeep must be doubled
Picture: Getty Pictures
“Though it is a winding highway filled with truck and van site visitors, it is a very secure option to go whereas having fun with the surroundings. No thriller, simply drive rigorously and at low velocity,” says Benito.
He additionally remembers that it is higher to set off within the morning, because the summer season afternoons are marked by the heavy fog that types there.
Winter months are inclined to have clearer skies in the course of the day. However throughout this time, destructive temperatures or frost may cause the highway to be briefly closed, so salt is positioned on the asphalt to keep away from freezing factors.
At Serra do Rio do Rastro in winter 2022, frost freezes lengthy sections of the highway
Picture: Santa Catarina Army Police Freeway
Though work to include limitations at vital factors has been closed for almost two years between 2019 and 2021, one other worrying problem is the dearth of public lighting alongside the route, which needs to be additional cautious for many who will encounter alongside the way in which. .
“Irrespective of how a lot authorities work is completed, the mountain remains to be forgotten and there was no mild on the highway for the reason that job was accomplished,” warns Benito.
On the time of highway closure, the journey to Lauro Müller, half-hour from Bom Jardim da Serra, was made by way of Urubici like SC-282 or by way of Serra do Corvo Branco by way of greater than three detours. watches..
“At the moment, companies needed to shut their doorways as a result of harm attributable to the ban. Serra do Rio do Rastro is a upkeep route for all times and on the identical time a path to the seashore,” he explains.
historic highway
The highway by way of Serra do Rio do Rastro was created within the Nineteen Fifties to facilitate the connection between the Santa Catarina coast and the plateau. Till then, exhausting entry needles had been accessible.
However as Nelma Baldin, a graduate historian from the Federal College of Santa Catarina, recollects, its use dates again to the seventeenth century, when the Portuguese landed in Uruguay’s Rio de la Plata and sought an alternate path to the coastal route. .
Later, the mountain would nonetheless be used as a gateway for the Xokleng Indians who descended to the shore to hunt hotter areas in the course of the winter months.
“Till the start of the twentieth century, it was often known as a mountain vary fraught with hazard,” says the historian.
Nelma says the realm is called Serra do Tubarão, referring to the river of the identical identify that rises in Lauro Muller, on the foot of the Serra do Rio Rastro, named after the scarce water that flows like a path in the course of the dry season. .
The highway was additionally utilized by drivers leaving Rio Grande do Sul to take cattle to fairgrounds within the inside of São Paulo.
“It was a shorter route than following the ocean, although tougher,” Nelma concludes.