Piraquara

Piraquara combines waterscapes and trails through nature with a remarkably tangible railway heritage. Parque das Águas Jacob Simião has two lakes; a walking path and panoramic viewpoints make the park a destination for spending time outdoors. Those who prefer to experience culture and landscape together will also find traces of water supply and railway history in Piraquara.

Water, Nature and Trails

Centro de Educação Ambiental Mananciais da Serra focuses on environmental education, particularly the protection of water resources. Its visitor attractions include Trilha do Cayuguava. Guided visits can be arranged to include an exhibition about Barragem Piraquara I, a model of Mananciais da Serra and access to Mirante das Águas. From there, you can see the Serra do Mar and the dam. A visit thus brings nature, water and an understanding of their importance together.

Reservatório do Carvalho is also a destination for walks, bike rides and picnics. Visitors can see Paraná’s first public water supply system, inaugurated in 1908. Observatório Ornitológico Nascentes do Iguaçu offers a different focus: it is a private nature reserve that protects local biodiversity and water resources. A citizen science activity offered there combines birdwatching with the eBird platform.

Those interested in longer, more challenging trails will find another perspective at Parque Estadual Pico do Marumbi. The park also includes Piraquara; the Marumbi Massif is characterized by steep, historic trails rich in biodiversity, used by adventurers and mountaineers. Ciclorrotas Nascentes do Iguaçu adds another option for cyclists: Piraquara, Pinhais and Quatro Barras created it together in 2019 to provide more infrastructure for cycling on themed routes.

Railway Heritage and Local Culture

You can encounter Piraquara’s railway history in several places. Centro de Memória Ferroviária de Piraquara preserves the city’s railway heritage; its collection comprises around 193 objects. Túnel do Roça Nova is 452 metres long and forms part of the railway line between Curitiba and Paranaguá, which passes through Piraquara. Visitors can walk in the area around the tunnel and enjoy local food and wine tourism.

Another historic landmark is Reservatório do Carvalho, with its water supply system inaugurated in 1908. The present-day Igreja Matriz do Senhor Bom Jesus dos Passos was inaugurated in 1921. Colônia Imperial Santa Maria do Novo Tirol da Boca da Serra preserves Trentino-Tyrolean customs, cuisine and architecture; the colony also supports agritourism. These different themes make it possible to shape a stay around interests such as the history of technology, religious heritage or regional culture.

Food and Events

Cave Colinas de Pedra offers a sparkling wine tasting in a historic tunnel and a restaurant in the former Roça Nova station. Dishes served there are paired with sparkling wines. Those interested in regional cuisine and wine tourism can make these offerings a focus of their trip, separate from walks or visits exploring the city’s history.

Parque Trentino hosts city events, including Festa de Aniversário de Piraquara, Festa do Carneiro no Rolete and Festa Trentina. These examples show how local festivities mark a variety of occasions.

Which Holiday Apartment Suits Your Plans?

When choosing a holiday apartment in Piraquara, it is worth first considering which experiences you want to shape your trip: trails and nature, birdwatching, water education, railway history or regional cuisine. The places described offer different experiences, rather than forming a single route. When planning your holiday, therefore, check which of them you would like to visit and choose your accommodation to suit your plans. This makes Piraquara an appealing destination both for a nature-focused trip and for a holiday centred on culture and food.

For the main travel overview: Piraquara.