Serra da Rocinha by Car: The BR-285 and Its Glass Viewpoint

Serra da Rocinha by car: the BR-285 and the glass viewpoint

On the border between Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul, the Serra da Rocinha is another of the breathtaking roads of the Serra Geral. A short and intense stretch of the BR-285 climbs the wall in dozens of curves, linking the Santa Catarina coast to the Rio Grande do Sul plateau of São José dos Ausentes. It recently gained viaducts and improvements that made it cinematic, and it became a mandatory stop for anyone who loves mountain roads.

This guide covers how to get there, what the climb is like, the glass viewpoint at the top and what to see in the region.

In short: The Serra da Rocinha is the stretch of the BR-285 that links the Timbé do Sul region, in Santa Catarina, to São José dos Ausentes, in Rio Grande do Sul, crossing the Serra Geral. In about 12 km, the road makes dozens of tight curves and climbs to around 1,500 meters of altitude, with recent viaducts set into the mountain. At the top, a viewpoint with a glass walkway juts out over the gorge, with a view of the Espraiado Canyon. It is a mountain road that calls for attention and a check of the conditions.

How to get there by car

The Serra da Rocinha sits on the border of the two states: on one side, the municipality of Timbé do Sul, in Santa Catarina; on the other, São José dos Ausentes, in Rio Grande do Sul, in the Campos de Cima da Serra. The climb happens on the stretch of the BR-285 that cuts through the Serra Geral, linking the lower part to the plateau up above.

The road went through works that included viaducts and paving on parts of the layout, which changed the experience a lot compared to the old dirt path. Even so, it is a mountain range, with steep stretches and curves in sequence, so it is worth checking the conditions and whether the whole stretch is open before going, since mountain works usually come in phases.

The climb and the viaducts

What impresses on the Serra da Rocinha is the concentration: it is about 12 kilometers with dozens of curves, often cited at around 300, fitted into the wall of the Serra Geral. The recent viaducts, suspended over the void, gave the road a dramatic look, with the mountain on one side and the abyss on the other.

Like every mountain road, it demands respect. The gradient requires low gear and sensible braking, and the fog can appear suddenly up high. Drive slowly, use the rest points to admire the view and avoid stopping in a spot without visibility.

The glass viewpoint

The high point of the trip is the viewpoint at the top of the range, with a glass walkway that juts more than ten meters over the gorge. From there, the view reaches the curves of the road, the Espraiado Canyon, the Campo dos Padres and the green immensity of the Serra Geral descending toward the coast. It is the reward for those who climb the range, and one of those places where the height is felt in the stomach.

Sitting at around 1,500 meters, the top is much colder than the base, and the weather changes fast. Bring warm clothing even on a sunny day and set aside time, because the view depends on the fog cooperating.

To fit the range into your route, the GT Overlander helps: you describe something like "Serra da Rocinha and São José dos Ausentes by car over a weekend," and the app builds the route with the stops and the context of each stretch. From there, it is just climbing the range in your own time.

What to see in the region

On the Rio Grande do Sul side, São José dos Ausentes is the base of the Campos de Cima da Serra, with canyons, waterfalls, high-altitude fields and the rural air of a farm. On the Santa Catarina side, the region connects with Bom Jardim da Serra and the Santa Catarina highlands, land of other famous roads. That makes the Rocinha a good piece in a larger mountain route, stringing together with the Rio do Rastro and the Corvo Branco for those who want to collect the roads of the Serra Geral.

When to go

Winter, from June to August, is the most sought-after season for the intense cold, the frost and the chance of snow in the high-altitude fields, at the cost of more fog and the risk of ice on the road. Summer brings more stable days, but with rains that can complicate stretches still under works. Spring and autumn are the calmest bets for driving. In any season, prefer a clear day and an open weather forecast to enjoy the viewpoint.

FAQ

Where is the Serra da Rocinha? On the border between Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul, on the stretch of the BR-285 that links the Timbé do Sul region to São José dos Ausentes, crossing the Serra Geral.

How many curves does the Serra da Rocinha have? It is about 12 kilometers with dozens of curves, a number often cited at around 300, climbing to around 1,500 meters of altitude.

Is the Serra da Rocinha road paved? It went through works that included viaducts and paving on parts of the layout. Since mountain works come in phases, it is worth checking the conditions and whether the whole stretch is open before going.

What is the glass viewpoint of the Serra da Rocinha? It is a glass walkway at the top of the range, jutting more than ten meters over the gorge, with a view of the curves of the road, the Espraiado Canyon and the Serra Geral.

What is there to do near the Serra da Rocinha? On the Rio Grande do Sul side, São José dos Ausentes and the canyons of the Campos de Cima da Serra. On the Santa Catarina side, Bom Jardim da Serra and the region's other mountain roads.

Another gem of the Serra Geral

The Serra da Rocinha joins the team of roads that make the Serra Geral a paradise for those who love to drive while watching the landscape. With the new viaducts and the glass viewpoint at the top, it became a destination in itself. Climb calmly, respect the range and save time for the top, where the view over the canyon closes the trip in style.