Refúgio Serra Fina

There’s a huge area around Refúgio, with easy trails as well as tougher ones leading to the highest summits in the region. I got the chance to climb Tijuco Preto, at 2,332 m. The trail is very steep, but the views of Vale do Paraíba and the Mantiqueira mountains are wonderful. I also appreciated the local greenhouse, where they grow organic vegetables that show up in the meals. A perfect score! This is a wonderful quiet retreat high in the Mantiqueira, surrounded by beautiful scenery, trails, waterfalls, and mountains. It’s ideal if you love nature, and also a great place to rest and enjoy good food when the weather doesn’t cooperate. Chef Montanhista Maurício and his super friendly wife May are lovely hosts who clearly love what they do. They offer great support, including a radio, and tips on hiking and mountaineering.

The road up is rough, especially in constant rain, since it’s a gravel road over the Serra da Mantiqueira. It is possible in a regular car, though, if you’re patient. We came on rainy days, and I’m enjoying the stay. The rooms are comfortable, the food is really good, and there are plenty of trails and things to do. The idea is for guests to stay on the property. It’s a wonderful place, and the owners are attentive and clearly enjoy their work. The facilities are top-notch.

The owners are very hospitable, and there are lots of trail options, including Toca do Lobo-Capim Amarelo and Tijuco Preto. They lend guests a radio and a spot for safety. The scenery is about as spectacular as it gets, the facilities are high quality, with wood flooring and a fireplace kept lit. The food is refined, tasty, and plentiful. Great value for money.

The trails and the stay gave me nothing to complain about. The place is made for getting away from city chaos and being surrounded by nature. The rooms are spacious, clean, and cozy, and all the staff were polite, available, friendly, and attentive. The food was light, tasty, and well balanced. A perfect place!