Trails of Iguaçu National Park: Poço Preto, Bananeiras and the rest

Direct answer: Beyond the Falls trail, the Brazilian park has forest paths included in your ticket: Poço Preto (9 km), Bananeiras (1.3 km), the Falls cycleway, the São João circuit and the Canafístula trail. Watch the confusion that costs money: the guided Poço Preto tour, with a guide and a boat ride at the end, is sold separately by the operator.

Update, 18 Oct 2026: because of the Iguaçu river flood, the main walkway (since 11 Oct), the lower Espaço Naipi viewpoint, the São João circuit, Espaço Usina, the Poço Preto path and the Canafístula trail are closed. The Bananeiras path is closed for works, not because of the flood. The park stays open, with the Falls Trail and the upper viewpoints. Reopening depends on the river dropping, and heavy rain is forecast for 21 to 25 Oct; today's status is at are Iguazu Falls open today?.

What the ticket covers and what it does not

The 2026 ticket costs R$ 134 full price and R$ 121 on the Brazil and Mercosur rate, and it gives access to the forest paths. What is charged separately are the guided tours with their own structure, such as the guided Poço Preto trip with a boat ride, run by Macuco Ecoaventura, and the Macuco Safari.

In one line: walking is included, being guided is not.

The Poço Preto path

9 km through Atlantic Forest, on foot (about 4 hours) or by bike. The route passes an observation tower and is the best spot in the park for birdwatching, because it takes you away from the noise of the falls.

Walking access is usually a morning window; cycling is more flexible. As the stretch is long with no facilities midway, carry water and repellent.

The Bananeiras path

1.3 km to the bank of the Iguaçu river, where the Espaço Taupá deck looks out over the river that forms the falls just downstream. It is the short, quiet option, good if you are short on time or travelling with children. In October 2026 the path is temporarily closed for works; check before you go.

The other three

• Falls cycleway: a cycling route inside the park.
• São João circuit and Canafístula trail: shorter forest paths, also included.

Anyone wanting to cycle outside the park will find the overview in Foz do Iguaçu by bike.

Booking is effectively mandatory

Entry is subject to available slots, and tickets are sold primarily online. Book the day and time when you buy, because turning up without a booking in high season usually means missing the paths and being left with the Falls trail only.

Prices, exemptions and what changes by category are in Iguazu Falls tickets.

Best timing and the state of the river

The park's first hour is the quietest on both sides: what time to go to avoid queues.

And one factor changes the trail experience more than timing does: river flow. In flood, as in October 2026 (peak of about 15,800 m³/s on 14 Oct), the riverside stretches carry more water and noise dominates; at low flow, wildlife shows itself more. The measurement is at how the Falls are today.

To choose between adventure and walking, the comparison is in Iguaçu Canyon and Macuco Safari.

Source: Cataratas do Iguaçu (Urbia concession), for the 2026 price table and the list of activities included with the ticket; Macuco Ecoaventura for the guided Poço Preto tour.