Rural Roads of Rancho Queimado
There is a place very close to Floripa where the clock seems to tick slower. Where the smell of coffee mixes with the aroma of fresh strawberries, the viewpoints open up to valleys, and the afternoons end with a glass of wine or an aged cheese made right there. This place exists, and it has a name: the “Rural Routes of Rancho Queimado”.
Living in Floripa for quite a while now, whenever someone asks “what is there close to the island, but feels far away from the routine?”, the answer comes almost automatically: Rancho Queimado. It is a small municipality, about 65 km from the capital, but one that holds a universe of experiences that many people do not even imagine is so close. We are talking about strawberry greenhouses for self-picking, high-altitude wineries, century-old farms, hidden waterfalls, artisanal cheese dairies, and charming inns that look like they stepped out of a European setting — all of this separated by just a few kilometers from the mountain range.
In this guide, we have brought together the establishments that belong to the Tourist Route “Rural Roads of Rancho Queimado” point by point, with everything you need to know about each of the establishments that make up this incredible route.
Why Rancho Queimado is the rural refuge that Floripa needs
Before actually entering Rural Roads of Rancho Queimado, It is easy to understand why this destination has won over the hearts of those who enjoy rural tourism. The city is located in a high-altitude region, which guarantees a mild climate even in summer and a biting cold in winter—perfect for those who want to escape the island's heat and trade the beach for a wool sweater and a hot cup of coffee.
German and Italian colonization has left strong marks on the local culture: the surnames of the families running many of the businesses (Schütz, Käufer, Bauer) tell a story of immigration, work on the land, and recipes passed down from generation to generation. It is precisely this family-oriented, simple, and welcoming character that makes Rancho Queimado such a special destination — no large resorts or artificial structures, but real people welcoming visitors to the property where they were born and raised.
You Rural Roads of Rancho Queimado they currently bring together 17 points of interest, including attractions, lodging, and culinary experiences. You can do a day trip leaving early from Floripa, or plan a full weekend, sleeping there and enjoying each stop at a leisurely pace. Let's get into the details of each one.
Strawberry pick and pay: the trademark of the region
If there is one thing Rancho Queimado does like few places in Brazil, it is strawberries. The high-altitude climate favors the cultivation of the fruit, and the city concentrates a generous number of farms specializing in pick-your-own — the perfect activity for those traveling with children or simply wanting to experience the joy of harvesting their own food straight from the plant.
O Choco Ranch It is a good entry point to this universe. In addition to the strawberry greenhouse open to visitors, the space has a café and a craft products store — and exciting news: soon, its chocolate factory will also open for visits.
Already Seal House features a more rustic and charming atmosphere: pesticide-free strawberry pick-and-pay, waterfall, swing, animals, and sale of colonial products. The space is open from Wednesday to Sunday, from 8 AM to 5 PM.
For those who want to experience a production with over two decades of tradition, it is worth checking out Pick and Pay Léo Schütz. The service is provided by Léo himself or his children, which makes everything even closer and more familiar. The space also has a chalet for seasonal rental, in case you want to extend your stay. It is open on Saturdays and Sundays, from 9 AM to 5:30 PM.
O Strawberry Farm It's another quiet harvesting option, with artisanal products for sale on-site, open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9 AM to 5 PM.
For a more complete experience, the Buyer Café com Morango combines colonial coffee (served as an all-you-can-eat buffet or by weight) with the opportunity to feed the sheep, watch the lambs being bottle-fed between July and September, and even pick strawberries in season. It is the kind of trip that makes a whole day worth it — it's open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, from 11 AM to 7 PM.
Wine, olive oil, and cheese: wine tourism and gastronomy in Rancho Queimado
One of the biggest differentials of Rural Roads of Rancho Queimado It is the strength that gastronomy and wine tourism have gained in recent years. The altitude and cold climate create conditions similar to classic wine regions, and this has already yielded good results.
A Goyah Wines and Vineyards It is a boutique winery that practices minimal intervention winemaking and produces signature fine wines that highlight the local terroir. The guided tour (R$ 140.00 per person) includes tastings paired with cheeses, cold cuts, and artisanal products from the region, as well as picnics and à la carte dishes. It’s quite the stop for anyone who enjoys wine tourism and wants to experience something different.
Another name that you put Rancho Queimado on the gastronomic map is the Quinta do Vienzo, the first company to produce and process extra virgin olive oil on Santa Catarina soil. The guided tour, lasting approximately an hour and a half, goes through the olive grove, the mill (where the oil extraction takes place), and ends with a tasting of Vienzo olive oils accompanied by breads, cheeses, cake, guava paste, and seasonal fruits — all led by the founding couple, Jester and Patrícia Macedo.
For those who are passionate about artisanal cheese, the Boca da Serra Cheese Factory, located between warm waters and Rancho Queimado offers a guided tour explaining all stages of production—from milk processing to aging—followed by a tasting of the cheeses produced on the farm. Tours are held on specific dates by appointment, starting at R$ 90.00.
Already Rhythms of the Earth focuses on organic and biodynamic production, with an emporium to discover selected products and coffee served on Saturdays and Sundays — chocolate with seasonal fruits and seeds, accompanied by fresh coffee. The location is also part of the “Discovering the Flavors of the Rhythms of the Earth” itinerary, part of the Floripa Creative City UNESCO City of Gastronomy seal, which shows the strength that Rancho Queimado's rural production has gained in the gastronomic scene of Greater Florianópolis.
Wrapping up this foodie group, the Daia’s Farm House It is a more intimate experience, created by Schanamara, with service by appointment and a fixed menu for a maximum of four couples per day. She also prepares breakfast baskets for local accommodations—quite a treat for those staying around there.
Farms, animals, and adventure in the countryside of Santa Catarina
If you are traveling with children or simply love the idea of getting your hands dirty (or taking the reins), the Rural Roads of Rancho Queimado There are good surprises in this regard as well.
A Bauer Ranch, run by Anna and Tiago since 2003, specializes in premium horse boarding and welcomes visitors for a guided experience that includes a hydrotherapy demonstration in the horses’ pool, supervised grooming, and a coffee and cake snack at the end. The experience takes place in small groups of 2 to 8 people, starting at R$ 120.00 per person.
A Mountain Park Farm, run by Andrei and his family, offers a tractor ride to Toca dos Bugres and Cachoeira dos Bugres, complete with a cold cuts basket, fresh strawberry juice, and a chilled bottle of Pureza—the traditional soft drink from Santa Catarina with over 120 years of history. It operates from Friday to Sunday, by appointment.
For those who want to feel the adrenaline, the RJ Off-Road & Fazendinha Don’t miss out: ATV, car, and UTV tours along the property’s trails—some of which include a stop at a waterfall—as well as a small petting zoo, a zip line, pony rides, pedal boats, and horseback riding. Off-road tours depart five times a day, and prices range from R$ 12.00 (zip line) to R$ 650.00 (car tour with a stop at the waterfall for up to 6 people).
Overlooks, waterfalls, and breathtaking landscapes
One of the greatest treasures of Rural Roads of Rancho Queimado It's the views. The region is at a high altitude, and this results in spectacular viewpoints — the kind of scenery that makes for the best photos of the trip.
O Boa Vista Park it is the favorite of those looking for these landscapes. There are seven natural viewpoints: four facing the sunrise and three facing the sunset. The famous “Infinity Swing” is located at one of the park's most photographed spots, and the property also features lakes, waterfalls, camping areas and, on special dates, trails, horseback riding and a zip line.
Where to stay: accommodations that are part of the experience
After spending a full day going through the Rural Roads of Rancho Queimado, nothing is better than extending the experience by sleeping in the middle of the greenery. The region has accommodation options that are already attractions in themselves.
O Sweetness of Doing Nothing, in the Taquaras district, is a complete tiny house with two bedrooms, an ecological fireplace, and an outdoor area with a deck and a chromotherapy hot tub. The property also features a lake and a trail to explore.
Already Rancho Texel it's for those who want to feel like they are in another country without leaving Greater Florianópolis: the house, inspired by Norwegian Barn Houses, is set on a private property of about 10 hectares, overlooking the Serra da Boa Vista, with a garden, orchard, trails, a nearby waterfall, a deck with mountain views, and a spa with a jacuzzi.
For those who prefer a more traditional inn atmosphere, the Pinheiral Inn offers private rooms and cabins for up to five people, featuring a wood-burning stove to warm up the colder days, as well as hiking trails, a cave, a chapel, a viewpoint, and waterfall swimming on the property.
How to enjoy the Rural Routes of Rancho Queimado
After visiting each of these 17 stops, here are some practical tips from someone who has already traveled this region: reserve at least a full weekend, since the distances from one point to another, even within the municipality, require patience and travel time.
Many establishments operate only on specific days or by appointment — so it's always worth confirming their hours via WhatsApp or Instagram before leaving home. Bring a jacket even if it's warm in Floripa, because the altitude changes everything. And, if you can, spend at least one night there: the experience of Rural Roads of Rancho Queimado It takes on another dimension when you wake up in the middle of the silence, with low fog and the smell of coffee brewing in the kitchen.
Rancho Queimado proves that you don't need to go far to experience the countryside, the simplicity, and the warmth of a trip that truly slows things down. It's people caring for the land, family recipes, animals, a winery, and waterfalls—all of this less than an hour and a half from Floripa. The next time that urge to escape the routine strikes, you already know: the Rural Roads of Rancho Queimado They are waiting for you.
