Teleférico de Atibaia & Lago do Major
Gliding silently over the glassy surface of Lago do Major on Atibaia's beloved cable car is one of those simple pleasures that somehow feels extraordinary. The 550-metre gondola route links the lakefront Parque das Águas to the upper edge of the historic centre, threading above weeping willows, pedal boats and parkland in a ride that lasts about 20 minutes.
The Ride Itself
The teleférico reaches heights of up to 15 metres above the water, giving you a swan's-eye view of the lake and the green hills beyond. The gondolas are clean, well-maintained and run frequently — queues rarely stretch more than a few minutes even on weekends.
Riding one-way downhill in the late afternoon, when the water turns copper and the Mantiqueira silhouette darkens behind you, is arguably the most photogenic 20 minutes you will spend in Atibaia.
The Parque das Águas Around It
The lakeside Parque das Águas is a lovely place to spend a morning before boarding. Rent a pedal boat on Lago do Major, walk the tree-lined paths or simply find a bench and watch local families go about their Sunday ritual of pastéis and ice cream from the lakeside kiosks.
The park also hosts the lower station of the teleférico at Alameda Prof. Lucas Nogueira Garcez, 60 — easy to find and with free street parking nearby on weekday mornings.
Teleférico de Atibaia & Lago do Major on video
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