Page 155 - Off the Tourist Trail - 1000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives (Part 1 of 2)

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NATURAL WONDERS

Towering Peña de Bernal, Mexico Stone Mountain with its enormous carving, Georgia, USA
Peña de Bernal Smooth-sided, soaring Pedra Azul, Brazil Stone Mountain

Pedra Azul
NEED TO KNOW NEED TO KNOW
LOCATION Peña de Bernal LOCATION Stone Mountain
is in San Sebastián Bernal in NEED TO KNOW is in a suburb of Atlanta,
the state of Querétaro, Mexico 6 4 " Georgia 4FBUUMF $ "/"%"
LOCATION Pedra Azul is in
HEIGHT 1150 ft (350 m) HEIGHT
Espírito Santo, Brazil, about
BASE CIRCUMFERENCE .POUFSSFZ (VMG PG 25 miles (40 km) west of the 825 ft (251 m) 4BO 'SBODJTDP
Around 6 miles (10 km) .FYJDP state capital of Vitória .BOBVT BASE CIRCUMFERENCE 6 4 " /FX :PSL
.&9*$0
DAYTIME HEIGHT 700 ft (210 m) 3FDJGF Around 5 miles (8 km) 450/&
1&º" #3";*- -PT "OHFMFT .06/5"*/
TEMPERATURES DAYTIME
%& #&3/"- .FYJDP $JUZ BASE CIRCUMFERENCE
Jan: 57°F (14°C); Apr: 68°F 1&%3" ";6- TEMPERATURES /FX 0SMFBOT
(20°C); Jul: 68°F (20°C); 1 BDJmD "DBQVMDP Around 1.5 miles (2.5 km) #0-*7*" #SBTJMJB Jan: 43°F (6°C); Apr: 62°F (16°C)
Oct: 64°F (18°C) 0 D FBO DAYTIME 3JP EF Jul: 77°F (26°C); Oct: 63°F (17°C) .&9*$0
TEMPERATURES +BOFJSP
Jan: 76°F (24°C); Apr: 75°F (23°C) 4ÍP 1BVMP "UMBOUJD
Jul: 69°F (20°C); Oct: 75°F (23°C) "3(&/5*/" 0DFBO
When Peña de Bernal was formed some 135 million Stone Mountain, a beautifully rounded, immense
years ago, during the Jurassic period, it was three piece of exposed granite, is a geological wonder,
times the size of the eroded – but still impressive Pedra Azul (Blue Rock) is an exposed dome with the centerpiece of Stone Mountain Park and the
– mountain you see today. This is one of the tallest an exquisite blue-grey hue resulting from the most popular tourist attraction in the state of
monoliths in the world, and while it’s a popular algae, lichen, and mushrooms covering its surface. Georgia. The rock was created underground 300
attraction for walkers and pilgrims who follow the The rock’s coloring alters subtly throughout the million years ago during the formation of the
trail to the chapel halfway up the mountain, the day, moving between charcoal gray and shades of Appalachian Mountains. Friction from the shifting
vertical route to the summit is the domain of mauve and blue, depending on the changing crust of the earth caused the rock to melt, and as it
expert rock climbers. The inhabitants of San light. Although an ascent of this mighty rock cooled, it hardened again, only to lie beneath the
Sebastián Bernal believe that the rock bestows a would promise spectacular views towards the surface for millions of years before being exposed
calming and life-enhancing energy to those living coast, climbing here has been prohibited in recent in the form we see today. Originally called New
in its shadow. Each year at the spring equinox years in order to protect the bromeliads, orchids, Gibraltar, the rock was renamed Stone Mountain
the villagers take part in an ancient ritual that and other vegetation that lives on and around the in 1847. On the side of the mountain is the world’s
involves dressing in white and forming a human rock. Near the base of Pedra Azul’s north side largest bas-relief, a memorial depicting three
chain around part of the monolith. There is also a you’ll find a large granite tower that resembles a Confederate leaders of the US Civil War on
five-day Christian festival here every May. This giant lizard scaling the dome, which is aptly horseback. The sculpture is the size of three football
event culminates in a procession of villagers who named Pedra do Lagarto (Lizard Rock). Trails fields and in the summer becomes the backdrop
bear a 100-lb (45-kg) cross to the mountain chapel, within the state park are accessed in the company for an evening laser show. The top of the mountain
from where climbers carry it on to the summit. of a naturalist guide and lead to nine natural pools can be reached by a steep, 1.3-mile (2-km)
and wildlife-viewing opportunities. footpath or by an aerial tramway.
Practical Information
Getting There The best way to get to Peña de Bernal is to rent a car in Practical Information Practical Information
Mexico City. Take Highway 57 northwest for 120 miles (200 km) toward Getting There Rent a car in Vitória and travel along Highway BR 262 in the Getting There The best way to see Stone Mountain is to rent a car in Atlanta
Querétaro and then go east for 30 miles (50 km) to San Sebastián direction of Belo Horizonte for about 25 miles (40 km). From the road, the and head east along Highway 78 for 16 miles (26 km) to the park entrance.
Bernal, which lies at the base of the mountain. rock is clearly visible and the park entrance is well signed. When to Go You can visit at any time of year, although the best weather is
When to Go The weather is good at any time of year. When to Go The warm tropical climate means you can visit at any time of year. between March and October.
Website www.penadebernal.com Website www.pedraazul.com.br Website www.stonemountainpark.com

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