Gruta da Lapa Nova

Gruta Lapa Nova de Vazante


Useful Information

Location:  
(-17.984448, -46.890678)
Open: All year daily 8-18.
[2021]
Fee: .
[2021]
Classification: SpeleologyKarst cave
Light: LightIncandescent Electric Light System
Dimension: L=4,550 m, A=698 m asl.
Guided tours:  
Photography: allowed
Accessibility: no
Bibliography:  
Address: Gruta da Lapa Nova, R. Lapa Nova, S/N - Serra Dourada, Vazante, MG 38.780-000, Tel: +55-34-3813-0108. E-mail:
Tourism Attention Center, R. Machado Diniz, 600, Center, Tel: +55-34-3813-0108. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1990 area declared a Special Protection Area (APE).
2016 declared a State Natural Monument.

Description

Gruta Lapa Nova (New Cave) or Lapa Nova de Vazante is located east of the town Vazante on a forested hill. It is the 6th largest cave in Minas Gerais. Since 2016 the cave, together with the Lapa Nova 2 and the Lapa da Gameleira, are protected by a 80 ha big Monumento Natural. The cave is visited with guided tours, guides wait at the cave entrance. The cave is not developed except for a rough footpath and some ropes and markers which keep the visitors on track.

At the end of the road R. Lapa Nova is a huge parking lot. Here was a few years ago the restaurant Restaurante Lapa Nova. The trail to the cave starts behind the restaurant, about 200 m uphill. It seems the restaurant is now closed, probably a result of the transformation into a State Natural Monument. The formerly private property where the cave is located was transformed into a public park.