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Launch from Pedra Bonita over Tijuca’s Atlantic Forest and glide toward São Conrado Beach with panoramic views of Sugarloaf and Christ the Redeemer. This tandem paragliding flight pairs expert pilots with accessible flying for most visitors.
Launch from Pedra Bonita over Tijuca’s Atlantic Forest and glide toward São Conrado Beach with panoramic views of Sugarloaf and Christ the Redeemer. This tandem paragliding flight pairs expert pilots with accessible flying for most visitors.
You push off a rocky lip inside the Tijuca Forest and the city seems to fall away — the Atlantic opens like a sheet of steel, beaches stitch the shoreline, and Sugarloaf and Christ the Redeemer stand watch as you drift toward São Conrado.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Konrad Heilmann - Rio Hang Gliding · Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro
You push off a rocky lip inside the Tijuca Forest and the city seems to fall away — the Atlantic opens like a sheet of steel, beaches stitch the shoreline, and Sugarloaf and Christ the Redeemer stand watch as you drift toward São Conrado.
The launch at Pedra Bonita sits within Tijuca National Park, a remnant of Atlantic Forest that reclaims steep slopes above Rio. The geology here is old granite and gneiss, rounded by millennia of coastal weathering; wind funnels off the ocean, creating the lift pilots prize. Culturally, flying is part spectacle and part local ritual — Cariocas come to watch tandems and record attempts, and landing on São Conrado’s white sand is a public moment, a meeting of city and sea.
Expect a 15–30 minute hike to the launch point from the road, followed by a 10–20 minute tandem flight depending on conditions. The instructor team is certified; tandems are designed for all fitness levels though small climbs and scrambling to the launch lip are required. Photography and 360° footage are common; be ready with free phone space and an app if you choose video.
Plan flights in the morning or late afternoon when thermal activity is manageable and views are clearest. Wear sturdy shoes for the approach, bring sun protection, and hydrate — the Atlantic breeze will cool you but the sun won’t forgive complacency. Weather cancels are common; keep flexible and let the pilot read the wind. This is flying that balances thrill with careful technique: you ride the air, let the currents carry you, and land soft on a beach that will cheer your arrival.
moderate.
2 hours (total experience; flight 10–20 minutes).
Light aerobic fitness for short hike to launch and modest scrambling; suitable for most people without mobility restrictions.
No — tandem flights are designed for first-timers; the certified pilot controls the glider while you enjoy the ride.
Minimum age is typically 14 with guardian consent for minors; operators set weight limits for safety and may decline passengers above certain thresholds for hang gliding but often accommodate paragliding—confirm when booking.
Transfers are not usually included but can often be arranged for an extra fee; check with the operator after booking.
Flights are canceled or rescheduled in unsafe wind or storm conditions; the operator offers refunds if canceled at least 24 hours before departure or per their policy.
Tijuca National Park is a 19th-century reforestation effort that restored much of Rio’s native Atlantic Forest after earlier deforestation for coffee and cattle.
Pilots and operators work with park authorities to limit footpath erosion at launch sites; visitors should stick to trails and avoid feeding wildlife.
Konrad Heilmann - Rio Hang Gliding operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
You push off a rocky lip inside the Tijuca Forest and the city seems to fall away — the Atlantic opens like a sheet of steel, beaches stitch the shoreline, and Sugarloaf and Christ the Redeemer stand watch as you drift toward São Conrado.
You push off a rocky lip inside the Tijuca Forest and the city seems to fall away — the Atlantic opens like a sheet of steel, beaches stitch the shoreline, and Sugarloaf and Christ the Redeemer stand watch as you drift toward São Conrado.
The launch at Pedra Bonita sits within Tijuca National Park, a remnant of Atlantic Forest that reclaims steep slopes above Rio. The geology here is old granite and gneiss, rounded by millennia of coastal weathering; wind funnels off the ocean, creating the lift pilots prize. Culturally, flying is part spectacle and part local ritual — Cariocas come to watch tandems and record attempts, and landing on São Conrado’s white sand is a public moment, a meeting of city and sea.
Expect a 15–30 minute hike to the launch point from the road, followed by a 10–20 minute tandem flight depending on conditions. The instructor team is certified; tandems are designed for all fitness levels though small climbs and scrambling to the launch lip are required. Photography and 360° footage are common; be ready with free phone space and an app if you choose video.
Plan flights in the morning or late afternoon when thermal activity is manageable and views are clearest. Wear sturdy shoes for the approach, bring sun protection, and hydrate — the Atlantic breeze will cool you but the sun won’t forgive complacency. Weather cancels are common; keep flexible and let the pilot read the wind. This is flying that balances thrill with careful technique: you ride the air, let the currents carry you, and land soft on a beach that will cheer your arrival.