Quad biking the Boiadeira Trail, Bonito MS: cattle roads and open country

The Boiadeira Trail runs by quad bike along the old roads once used to drive cattle across the Bonito region. It is the most open of the three trails in town: less dense forest, more grassland and more dust.

What the Boiadeira Trail is

The Boiadeira Trail is a quad bike route through the countryside around Bonito, following tracks opened historically to drive cattle between farms. The line is wide for much of the way, with open grassland, fences, gates and shallow stream crossings.

That geography defines the outing. With less dense forest and more horizon, the sensation is one of speed and wide landscape — unlike the hill trails, where the interest lies in the relief and the shade.

What the cattle roads are

Before lorries and asphalt, cattle in southern Mato Grosso do Sul travelled on foot. Drovers led herds along tracks opened between farms, chosen for water, pasture and river crossings — and those lines shaped many of the rural roads that exist today.

Riding one of those routes on a quad bike is, without any ceremony, travelling over an old line. Gates, cattle grids, fences and watering points are still where they were, because they are still useful to the farm.

How the outing works

• A briefing and a short handling test before setting off.
• Riding in convoy, with stops for photographs and rest.
• Shallow stream crossings, depending on the water level.
• The option of riding yourself or going as a passenger, depending on the operator.

No experience is needed: the quad is automatic and the briefing covers brake, throttle and posture on bends. The group rides in convoy at the guide pace — overtaking is not part of the outing.

The landscape of the countryside here

The Bonito region sits on the transition between the cerrado of the plateau and the Pantanal floodplain, and that transition shows: pasture, patches of forest, buriti palms marking the water lines and, in the distance, the relief of the Serra da Bodoquena. It is a view you do not get from inside a river or a cave.

When to go

In the dry season the ground is firm and fast, with the drawback of dust, which is considerable in convoy. In the rainy season the dust disappears and mud takes over, which many find more fun but which can also close sections. After very heavy rain, stream crossings can stop the outing altogether.

What to bring

• Clothes that can get dirty, with dust or mud depending on the season.
• Closed shoes, never flip-flops.
• Eye protection: dust and insects come straight at you.
• A buff or bandana for your face, which helps more than you would think.
• Sunscreen: there is no shade on open ground.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a driving licence?

It depends on the operator and your age. Many allow adults to ride without one on private land; others require it. Confirm beforehand.

Which of the quad trails should I choose?

Boiadeira for open country and speed; the Serra trail for relief and shade; Rota Zagaia for a shorter route close to town.

Written by: Adriano Habermann Last updated: September 13, 2026