Rio's Challenge: Pedra da Gávea Hike

Are you looking for Rio de Janeiro's most rewarding mountain hike? Have you have been relaxing at Ipanema beach and can't take your eyes away from that gigantic flat top mountain in the skyline? This is the way up!

Pedra da Gávea's Emperor Face as seen from Pedra Bonita

Join this tour to discover the coastal monolith, the Pedra da Gávea. This carioca classic is inside of the Tijuca National Park. In addition to being a natural landmark, there is a mystic aura that permeates the hike, with legends of possible portals that exit in Machu Picchu to the belief that this mountain was sculpted by the Phoenicians.

The hike up is a combination of dirt trails and scrambling. After a few stops to snap pictures and cool off in the fresh water source, we reach the rock climbing section. Don't worry, our guides will provide all the safety equipment to enjoy this section with ease.

Rapeling down the Climbing section

At the roomy summit we'll have time to enjoy Rio’s sweetest views, relax a little, and talk about the history of the city.

Relaxing and taking in the beautiful views

Steps of the hike:

• We begin the hike following an ascending stone path which leads us to the start of the dirt trail
• The first section of the trail is a steep dirt path under the jungle's dense canopy
• The second section involves some rock scrambling and will lead us to the resting point at Pedra do Navio (Ship's Rock) and the water source
• Following that we continue upwards towards a big opening in the forest, where there was an old campground. Here we equip the harnesses for the upcoming climb
• After gearing up we enter a mountain vegetation section where we will finally have a peak at the mountain's summit.
• We will reach the climbing section where your guide will teach you safe ascending techniques and provide your safety with rock climbing belaying equipment
• Another short hike with stunning aerial views will lead us to the huge summit of the Pedra da Gávea
• We will relax at the top, take some amazing pictures and talk about Rio's history and geography
• We hike (and rappel!) back down to finish this amazing journey at our meeting point.

Departure point: Bar do Oswaldo, Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Summit shot. Are you ready for it, let's go!