It contains an important remnant of the Atlantic Forest, in the middle of considerable reforestation with eucalyptus, and has been considered an area of environmental protection since 2002.

It is located about 20 kilometers from the urban center of Coronel Fabriciano and possesses great tourist and cultural relevance, having several waterfalls and viewpoints, as well as housing folk groups that maintain diverse cultural traditions in their villages such as São José dos Cocais and Santa Vitória dos Cocais.

[2] The name "Cocais" was given by the first residents of the area due to the large number of coconut trees (Portuguese: Coqueiros) present at the time of clearing.

[5] Besides its geologic importance, the Serra dos Cocais is considered a natural division between the hydrologic basins of the Piracicaba, Doce, and Santo Antônio rivers, containing hundreds of sources of small creeks and streams throughout its territory.

[9] The first commercial establishments in the area were opened in the 1950s and until the 1980s, the predominant economic activity revolved around agriculture, cattle raising, and coffee plantations.

The population, however, has been declining and migrating to the urban zone of the Vale do Aço metropolitan area, looking for better job and income opportunities.

[11] In a survey conducted by the city of Coronel Fabriciano in April 2012, the Serra dos Cocais was chosen as the tourist spot that best represents the municipality with 58% of the votes.

Notable sites include: the Pedra Dois Irmãos (Two Brothers Rock) which can be accessed by a steep trail through thick woods, and from where you can see the entire Vale do Aço; the Pedra dos Cem Homens (Rock of the Hundred Men) which is also constantly used by climbers; the Pedra do Caladão located near the Caladão neighborhood from where you can see various points in the city; the Escorregador Waterfall whose stones form a kind of natural toboggan run; the Cachoeirão Waterfall which is about 120 m high and is known as a popular backpacking location being surrounded by a green belt of remaining Atlantic Forest; and the Biquinha de Santa Vitória (Saint Victoria's Bikini) which is a natural spring of drinking water located near Santa Vitória dos Cocais.