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Lagoinha do Leste Hike: The Ultimate Guide to Florianópolis' Most Beautiful Beach & Viewpoint

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If you ask me what the best thing to do in Florianópolis is, my answer is easy. Hike to Lagoinha do Leste and continue to the incredible Morro da Coroa viewpoint (also known as Ponto de Abdução). Out of everything I did while exploring Florianópolis, this was my absolute favourite experience.

The hike itself is beautiful, the beach at the end feels completely untouched, and the panoramic views from the top are some of the most spectacular I've seen anywhere in Brazil.

It's the kind of place that makes you stop for a moment just to appreciate where you are.

If you're looking for hidden beaches, epic viewpoints, and unforgettable hikes, this needs to be on your itinerary.

That said, there are a few things I wish I'd known before I went.

So hopefully, this guide will help you avoid the same mistakes I made and make your hike much more enjoyable.

Why You Shouldn't Miss Lagoinha do Leste

Florianópolis has no shortage of beautiful beaches.

In fact, there are more than 40 beaches scattered around the island. But I think Lagoinha do Leste is different.

Unlike beaches such as Praia Mole, Joaquina or Campeche, you can't simply drive here.

The only ways to reach it is by hiking through the Atlantic Forest or arriving by boat from Pântano do Sul.

That means no roads, no hotels, no beach clubs. Just nature.

Because it's so difficult to reach, the beach has remained wonderfully wild and untouched.

You’ll find golden sand stretched for hundreds of metres, lush green mountains surrounding the bay, and incredibly clear water.

Lagoinha do Leste hike

Learn From My Biggest Mistake on Where to Stay in Florianópolis

Before we get into the hike itself, I want to save you from making the same mistake I did.

When booking accommodation in Florianópolis, I didn't realize just how big the island actually is.

I ended up staying on the complete opposite side of the island. It was nice on it’s own, but every morning we spent well over an hour driving just to reach the places we actually wanted to explore.

If I visited Florianópolis again, I'd definitely stay somewhere in the south of the island instead.

It's much more convenient if you're planning to visit:

You'll spend much less time sitting in traffic and much more time actually enjoying the island.

Since Lagoinha do Leste is a protected beach with no hotels directly on the beach, the best places to stay are one of these two towns, Pântano do Sul or Praia da Armação.

How Difficult Is the Lagoinha do Leste Hike?

I'll be honest and say that his hike was a bit tougher than I expected.

Before arriving, I'd seen photos of people doing it in flip-flops so naturally, I assumed it would be a fairly easy walk.

It isn't.

I wouldn't describe it as an extremely difficult hike, but it's definitely more challenging than your average beach walk.

Most of the trail is uphill, and there are plenty of roots, rocks and uneven ground.

I also noticed quite a few people wearing proper hiking boots, which surprised me at first.

Now I completely understand why.

Personally, I don't think hiking boots are essential. I completed the hike wearing good trail running shoes, and they were more than enough.

What I definitely wouldn't recommend is wearing flip-flops. I met some people along the way wearing them, and to say they were unhappy with their choice is an understatement.

Good trainers with decent grip will make the hike much more comfortable and safer.

Lagoinha do Leste hike

Trail Statistics

Here's what you can expect:

Remember that you'll also be hiking back afterwards, so make sure you save enough energy for the return journey.

How to Get to the Trailhead

The easiest way to reach the trail is by entering:

"Início da Trilha da Lagoinha do Leste" into Google Maps.

If you're driving, there are several paid parking areas near the trailhead.

If you're staying elsewhere on the island, Uber is also a convenient option.

Once you arrive, you'll immediately see signs pointing toward the trail.

The first section climbs gently away from the neighborhood before entering the Atlantic Forest.

From there, the scenery quickly changes and you're surrounded by trees and birds. The trees give you a welcome shade which is nice in the intense heat.

The trail is generally well marked and easy to follow so you don't need a guide.

As long as you stay on the main path, navigation is pretty straightforward.

Lagoinha do Leste hike

What Is the Hike Like?

The first half of the trail is mostly a steady climb through the forest.

Although it's uphill, it's never particularly technical.

There are plenty of opportunities to stop, catch your breath and enjoy the surroundings.

Because much of the trail is shaded, it's actually more pleasant than many exposed coastal hikes in Brazil.

As you get closer to Lagoinha do Leste, you'll start hearing the sound of the ocean before you can actually see it.

Then suddenly the forest opens up and one of the most beautiful beaches in Brazil appears in front of you.

Honestly, I wasn't prepared for just how stunning it was.

The combination of untouched sand, lush green mountains and crashing waves makes it feel incredibly remote.

Lagoinha do Leste hike

Should You Go Straight to the Beach or the Viewpoint?

This is probably the biggest piece of advice I can give.

When you reach the junction near the end of the trail, you'll have two choices.

One trail heads directly down to Lagoinha do Leste Beach. The other continues up toward Morro da Coroa, also known as Ponto de Abdução, the famous viewpoint you've probably seen in photos.

I made the mistake of heading to the beach first.

While there's absolutely nothing wrong with doing that, it meant I later had to climb back uphill in the afternoon to reach the viewpoint before returning to the beach again.

Looking back, I would do things differently.

My Recommended Route (If I Did the Hike Again)

If I could do this hike a second time, I would change one thing.

Instead of walking straight down to the beach first, I would head directly to Morro da Coroa before relaxing at Lagoinha do Leste.

Why? Because after spending time swimming, relaxing and eating at the beach, climbing another steep hill in the afternoon was much harder than I expected.

It also meant that after hiking back down from the viewpoint, I still had the entire return hike through the forest ahead of me.

By the time we started walking back, the sun was already getting low, and we were getting uncomfortably close to hiking in the dark.

That is definitely something I wouldn't recommend.

Instead, this is the route I suggest:

  1. Hike from the trailhead to the junction.
  2. Continue straight to Morro da Coroa first.
  3. Spend time enjoying the incredible views.
  4. Hike down to Lagoinha do Leste Beach.
  5. Relax, swim and have lunch.
  6. Return to the trailhead from the beach.

It saves both time and energy, and you'll probably enjoy the beach even more knowing the hardest part of the hike is already behind you.

Where the trails splits and you choose to go to the beach or the lookout point.

Finding the Trail to Morro da Coroa

One thing that surprised me was how many people struggled to find the path to the viewpoint.

While we were hiking up from the beach, we met several groups coming back down who had completely given up because they thought they'd lost the trail.

To be honest, this made us a little nervous.

Fortunately, the trail is actually much easier to follow than it first appears.

The key is to look for the yellow arrows painted directly onto the rocks.

These arrows guide you all the way to the summit. As long as you keep following them, you're on the correct route.

One mistake I saw many people make was wandering off into smaller paths disappearing into the forest.

Don't do this.

If you don't see the yellow arrows, you've probably gone the wrong way.

Simply turn back until you find them again.

Once we spotted the first few arrows, navigation became very straightforward.

Lagoinha do Leste

Is the Climb to Morro da Coroa Difficult?

Compared with the forest trail, the final climb is definitely steeper.

There are sections where you'll use your hands for balance, and some parts involve scrambling over large rocks.

That sounds more dramatic than it actually is. I never felt unsafe. You just need to take your time.

The rocks can also become slippery after rain, so I'd be extra careful if the weather hasn't been dry.

If you have a fear of heights, some sections near the top might feel a little intimidating.

Otherwise, anyone with average fitness should be able to complete the climb without too much trouble.

And once you reach the summit you'll completely forget about the effort it took to get there.

The View from Morro da Coroa

I genuinely think this is one of the most beautiful viewpoints in all of Brazil.

Standing on top of Morro da Coroa, you'll see:

It's one of those rare landscapes that still feels completely wild.

I stayed up there much longer than I'd planned because I simply couldn't stop looking around.

It's also one of the best drone locations in Florianópolis, if you're travelling with one and conditions allow.

Lagoinha do Leste hike

Is Lagoinha do Leste Beach Worth the Hike?

Without question.

Even if you decide to skip the viewpoint, I'd still recommend hiking to the beach.

In my opinion, Lagoinha do Leste is the most beautiful beach in Florianópolis.

Compared with some of Florianópolis' more famous beaches, it feels incredibly peaceful.

Depending on the day and season, you'll still see plenty of other hikers, but the beach is large enough that it never felt crowded during my visit.

After finishing the hike, jumping into the ocean was one of the most refreshing swims I've ever had.

It was the perfect reward.

Lagoinha do Leste hike

Are There Any Facilities at the Beach?

This was something I wasn't sure about before visiting.

Fortunately, there were a few basic facilities when I was there.

Near the beach, we found a small kiosk selling:

There was also someone selling bottled water along parts of the hiking trail.

That said, I wouldn't rely on these being open every day of the year.

Their opening depends on the season and weather.

I would still recommend bringing:

It's always better to be prepared.

My Biggest Tips for the Lagoinha do Leste Hike

After doing the hike myself, here are the things I'd tell every first-time visitor.

Start early

Not only will you avoid hiking during the hottest part of the day, but you'll also have plenty of time to relax at the beach without worrying about hiking back in the dark.

Don't underestimate the hike

It's absolutely manageable for most people, but it's more demanding than it looks online.

Wear proper shoes.

Do the viewpoint first

If you're planning to visit Morro da Coroa, tackle it before heading down to the beach.

Your legs will thank you later.

Leave no trace

One of the reasons Lagoinha do Leste remains so beautiful is because it's still relatively untouched.

Please take all of your rubbish back with you and help keep it that way.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Lagoinha do Leste hike?

The hike from the main trailhead to the beach takes around 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on your pace. If you continue to Morro da Coroa, allow another 20–30 minutes each way.

Is the Lagoinha do Leste hike difficult?

I'd rate it as moderate. Most people with a reasonable level of fitness can complete it, but there are plenty of uphill sections and the climb to Morro da Coroa is steeper and more challenging.

Can you drive to Lagoinha do Leste?

No. There are no roads leading to the beach.

You either hike or arrive by boat from Pântano do Sul.

Is it worth hiking to Morro da Coroa?

Absolutely. For me, the viewpoint was the highlight of the entire day and one of the best viewpoints I visited during my time in Brazil.

Can you swim at Lagoinha do Leste?

Yes, but always pay attention to the sea conditions. The waves can sometimes be strong, and there are not always lifeguards on duty.

Lagoinha do Leste beach

Final Thoughts: Is Lagoinha do Leste Worth It?

Looking back on my time in Florianópolis, this is the day I remember most.

Not because it was the easiest hike or the shortest walk, but because it felt like a true adventure.

From hiking through the Atlantic Forest to reaching one of the most beautiful beaches I've ever seen, and finally standing above the coastline at Morro da Coroa, every part of the day felt rewarding.

If you're visiting Florianópolis and enjoy hiking even a little, I honestly think this experience should be at the top of your itinerary.

It's one of those rare places that still feels wild, peaceful and largely untouched, and in a destination as popular as Florianópolis, that's becoming harder and harder to find.

Plan Your Trip to Floranópolis

Hopefully this guide has given you everything you need to plan an unforgettable trip to Florianópolis. To make planning even easier, I've included all the resources I personally use when I travel.

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Every recommendation is based on tools and services I genuinely use and would recommend to friends and family.

By using these links you help me continue to create free travel guides like this one.

Thank you for supporting Travels with Ingrid!

If you have any questions about travel in Brazil, or just want to follow along as I travel the world full time, don‘t hesitate to reach out to me on social media.

I would love to connect and help out!

-Ingrid

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