The Nova Friburgo Mountain Marathon carves a demanding yet rewarding path through the lush highlands of Rio de Janeiro's mountain region. Stretching roughly 42 kilometers with an elevation gain of about 2,200 meters, this trail challenges adventurers with steep climbs, uneven terrain, and forested paths that hum with the life of the Atlantic Forest. You’ll find yourself navigating rocky steps carved by time and pushed onward by rivers that dare you to keep pace. The earth, solid and relentless beneath your boots, anchors each stride as the wind shifts, whispering through the canopy.

Starting at the outskirts of Nova Friburgo city, the route sweeps through dense patches of native araucaria pines and colorful wildflowers, offering moments of respite along ridge lines where sweeping views stretch over green valleys and rugged peaks. These vistas are not just scenery but a reward—a brief communion with nature fiercely itself, refusing to be tamed.

Be prepared for a marathon that tests both endurance and strategy. Footwear with aggressive tread is essential, especially since the trail features loose rock, muddy segments after rain, and root-entangled dirt paths. Hydration can’t be an afterthought; water stations are spaced but not abundant, so carrying at least 2 liters per person is necessary. Starting early guards against the afternoon heat and the risk of thickening clouds rolling down from the mountains.

One unexpected highlight is the biodiversity along the way. Capuchin monkeys often peer from branches, and if you move quietly, the calls of toucans punctuate the forest symphony around you. The marathon is a rare chance to engage with this ecosystem on foot, requiring respect and care. Carry out everything you brought in; the land’s fierceness is matched by its fragility.

Timing your visit to coincide with the dry season (May to September) improves footing and visibility but expect cooler mornings that demand layered gear. For those willing to accept the challenge, the wet season offers a lush, saturated landscape alive with vibrant fungi and rushing waterfalls, though muddy paths make the trek more technical.

Completing the Nova Friburgo Mountain Marathon is as much an exercise in mental toughness as physical persistence. It’s a trail that doesn’t yield easily but offers profound satisfaction to those willing to engage it seriously. Adventurers emerge from the forest changed—not just by the kilometers they have conquered—but by the mountain’s call to be approached with both determination and humility.