Rio de Janeiro Hiking, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro hiking offers a number of amazing opportunities. Picturesque peaks dot the landscape, and there is no shortage of Atlantic rainforest to explore in area destinations such as the Serra dos Orgaos National Park. Within the city itself, you will find some fantastic peaks to hike up, not to mention the world's largest urban forest. The Tijuca Forest, as this forest is known, covers more than 8,000 acres, and plenty of easy-to-handle trails wind their way through its tree-filled expanse. This forest is also home to Corcovado Mountain, which is among the best peaks in the city to go hiking on.

Rio hiking tours are available in good number, and while you can always venture out on your own to go hiking in and around the city, it's usually best to hire a guide. This is especially true if you are concerned about safety or don't have a good idea of how things work in the region. Most of the city's peaks can be climbed on Rio hiking tours, and as you might imagine, these hikes are best left to fit and experienced trekkers. When Corcovado Mountain hiking is the aim, you can pick up the trail in Parque Lage near the Botanical Gardens. It's a strenuous hike up, though you will reap the benefits once you get to the 2,300-foot summit. The views are simply amazing. It is worth nothing that as you near the top of the peak on your Corcovado Mountain hiking adventure, you will have to take a paved road the rest of the way up or take the train. As for getting down once you've savored the views, taking the train is likely to be the option of choice.

As for Sugarloaf Mountain hiking, it is made easier by the fact that the peak is not as tall as Corcovado Mountain. That doesn't mean that you won't get a workout, however. You can venture over to the Urca neighborhood's Pista Claudio Coutinho to pick up the trail for Sugarloaf Mountain. As you begin your journey to the top, you will have the waves crashing below you. The real joy, however, lies in the views that can be enjoyed from the 1,299-foot summit. The trail is quite steep in parts, and should you need to break, various stopping points offer great views of the Guanabara Bay, Copacabana Beach, and the nearby city of Niteroi. There is a portion of Sugarloaf Mountain that needs to be climbed if you hope to reach the top without the help of a cable car. This portion of the trail is beyond the halfway point, and while it's not exactly hard to climb if you are in shape and have the proper equipment.

Sugarloaf Mountain and Corcovado Mountain hiking is best done with a guide or a friend who knows the terrain. There are plenty of Rio hiking tours that feature these peaks, not to mention the Pedra da Gavea, which is arguably the best peak to hike in the area. Found in the Tijuca National Park, the Pedra da Gavea is hard to miss on the western skyline, as its massive size and squared shaped make it easy to distinguish. In fact, this 2,800-foot-tall peak is the largest coastal monolith on the planet. Should your Rio de Janeiro hiking adventure take you to the base of Pedra da Gavea, you will have to have plenty of stamina if you want to make it to the top. During the hike, you will be able to spot Barra da Tijuca in the near distance. Once at the top, you can spot the south zone of Rio on the horizon. Many people who hike to the top of Pedra da Gavea choose to explore the summit for a while, thanks to its grassy slopes, fascinating boulders, picturesque ravines, and its strangely twisted trees.

Rio hiking tours feature all kinds of destinations, so finding one that fits your wants and needs shouldn't be difficult. On the easier and more convenient side of things, the Tijuca Forest is among the best Rio de Janeiro hiking destinations. Hiking tours in the Tijuca Forest highlight the flora and fauna, as well as the relatively short Pico de Tijuca and a couple of waterfalls. As for the animals that you might spot while trekking on the forest's trails, they include toucans, monkeys, and sloths, to name a few. Should you be looking to enjoy extended Rio hiking tours, guided two- and three-day treks in the Serra dos Orgaos National Park can be arranged, and you can also visit the Itatiaia National Park if you please. The former is home to a pristine Atlantic rainforest, while the latter is known for having the highest peak in the state of Rio de Janeiro. The Agulhas Negras Mountain is approximately 8,000 feet tall. On multiple-day Rio de Janeiro hiking tours, transportation, accommodations, and food are provided. All you'll have to worry about bringing are a pair of good hiking boots, some warm clothes in case it gets chilly, and some rain gear to help keep you dry in the event of rain. You might also pack some sunscreen to be on the safe and comfortable side.