Route · Capixaba Mountains
Rota Imperial Barcelos
A stretch of the Estrada Real São Pedro d’Alcântara, opened in 1816 to link Espírito Santo with Minas Gerais.
In the district of Barcelos, Domingos Martins, the old mule-drivers’ road has become a route looked after by the community itself: small farms, specialty coffees, dairy, liqueurs, a craft brewery and guesthouses that welcome those who arrive slowly.
ECOA is a partner of the Rota Imperial Barcelos and guides experiences at Sítio Giggio Pizzol, where specialty coffee, agroforestry and birdwatching go hand in hand.
What you’ll find along the way
A road from 1816
Milestones and stories of the Estrada Real, part of the Imperial Route linking Ouro Preto to Vitória.
Agroforest coffee
At Sítio Giggio Pizzol, regenerating the land since 2021: specialty coffee grown while protecting water and biodiversity.
Small producers
Artisan dairy, liqueurs, flowers, a farmhouse burger joint and a brewery — each with its own hours and its own story.
A community route
Since 2020, residents have run the route, signposted the way and organised events such as the Cavalgada Rota Imperial Barcelos horse ride.
Experiences on this route
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The Giggio Agroecological Trail
2 hours · up to 8 people
Regenerating degraded land · How to “plant water” · You are an agroforest · Hands in the soil …
Would you like to explore this route?
We’ll plan it with you: a day, a weekend or several days, with accommodation.