Climb to Pico da Tijuca for sweeping city views, forested switchbacks, and a post-hike waterfall dip. This guided full-day hike mixes history, geology, and wildlife in one of the world’s largest urban forests.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You push through a shelf of Atlantic Forest—ferns brushing your forearms, sunlight fracturing through broad leaves—and the city noise thins to a distant hum. The trail angles up, stair by stair, until the forest opens and the summit demands your attention: a 360-degree sweep of Rio, the bay, and the distant coastline.
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
6 hours
Fitness Level
Moderate fitness: comfortable with sustained uphill hiking, stairs, and uneven terrain for several hours.
Wildlife
History
Tijuca National Park largely stems from 19th-century reforestation efforts to restore city watersheds and was later protected as a national park, preserving its steep granite peaks and Atlantic Forest cover.
Conservation
The park is a protected urban forest; stay on marked trails, avoid feeding animals, and pack out waste to limit erosion and wildlife disturbance.
Reserve your spot on the Tijuca Pike - The Highest Mountain of the Park today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Bring 1.5–2L of water
Hydration is critical on steep climbs and stair sections—carry a refillable bottle or bladder.
Wear grippy hiking shoes
Expect wet rock near waterfalls and uneven granite steps; trail runners with good tread work well.
Start early
Morning departures avoid the midday heat, afternoon showers, and larger crowds at the summit.
Don’t feed wildlife
Monkeys and birds are common and habituated—feeding them alters behavior and harms animals.
Sturdy hiking shoes
Provides traction on wet granite and comfort for long stair sections.
2L hydration system or bottles
Sustains you through the ascent and prevents dehydration in humid conditions.
Light rain shell
Protects against sudden tropical downpours common in warmer months.
summer
Swimwear and quick-dry towel
Useful for cooling off in the waterfalls at the trail’s end.
summer