Rio de Janeiro · RIO HIKING TOURS

15 Guided Hikes in Rio de Janeiro Worth the Climb

51 tours  ·  from $32 a head

Rio has a national park in the middle of it. These 15 guided hikes run from the short Two Brothers climb to the full day on Pedra da Gávea, priced, timed and honest about where the scrambling starts.

Rio: Tijuca Forest Small Group Hike to Caves and Waterfalls - Pickup, timing and the shape of the day
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Rio: Tijuca Forest Small Group Hike to Caves and Waterfalls

1.Tijuca Forest Small Group Hike to Caves and Waterfalls

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 536 reviews · 6 hours · from $69Our pick

Spend six hours exploring Tijuca Forest on a guided 6.2-kilometer hike, with 448 meters of elevation gain. See Cascatinha Taunay, Mayrink Chapel, a suspension bridge, coffee-era ruins and Morcego’s Grotto, then cool off at Baronesa Cascade. English- and Portuguese-speaking guides, such as Tito, Riccardo and Vini, lead small or private groups.

“Great trip with our guide Luiza. She has a huge knowledge of the flora and fauna, and we had a great history lesson. Despite being so close to the city, the nature was stunning. We will be back for the longer hike.”

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Pedra do Telégrafo Hike and Beach Full-Day Tour - The trail climbs steadily from Guaratiba
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Pedra do Telégrafo Hike and Beach Full-Day Tour

2.Pedra do Telégrafo Hike and Beach Full-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 417 reviews · 4 hours - 390 minutes · from $56

Ride from selected Rio neighborhoods to Pedra Branca State Park, then hike about an hour uphill to Pedra do Telégrafo and its famous viewpoints. Guides such as Dayvison, Erick and Nicolas have helped set a steady pace and take group photos. Afterward, spend time at Grumari or Prainha Beach. Bring water, hiking shoes, swimwear and your own snacks.

“This was great! I’m not a hiker, I wouldn’t consider myself one as I maybe do a basic simple hike like once a year, if that. I was initially worried if I would be able to keep up but Erick made sure we all were good. I actually did well…I think haha. The hike it self is very tiring, very steep incline but that’s it. There’s no climbing or any other physical activity needed. I truly appreciate our guide Erick as from the start, he was very prompt. He arrived exactly on time and kept great communication with me. My friend with me struggled with the hike and Erick kept…”

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Rio de Janeiro: Pedra da Gávea 7-Hour Hike - The summit views are the payoff
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Rio de Janeiro: Pedra da Gávea 7-Hour Hike

3.Pedra da Gávea 7-Hour Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 183 reviews · 8 hours · from $56

This guided Pedra da Gávea hike climbs through Tijuca National Park to an 840-meter summit, with a guided 30-meter rock section at Carrasqueira. Groups are limited to six, and guides such as Eduardo, Lucas, Fernando, and Sergio have led the route. Expect a demanding trail, safety equipment, and wide views over Rio.

“Our hike to Pedra da Gavea was such an amazing experience! Everything was so well organised by our guide, we had an amazing group and it was so fun! Our guide Edu was super good photographer and amazing person in one. I recommend this to everyone! 👌”

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Rio de Janeiro: Tijuca Forest Challenge Hike Full-Day Trip - Climbing Taquara Hill for the wide views
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Rio de Janeiro: Tijuca Forest Challenge Hike Full-Day Trip

4.Tijuca Forest Challenge Hike Full-Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 163 reviews · 9 hours · from $86

Spend a full day hiking Tijuca Forest with a bilingual guide and a group of up to six. The 10.4 km route climbs 848 m to Taquara Hill, then leads past old coffee-farm ruins, a cave and waterfalls. Guides such as Gustavo, Ricardo and Tito are known for sharing Rio’s history along with the forest’s plants and wildlife.

“Great day with Ricardo our tour guide, who had lots of interesting conversation and knowledge. The hike was as expected length wise, and good for those who want a bit longer in the jungle than the other half-day tours. Mostly in-shade so walk is hot but at least not in direct sunlight for the most part. Saw monkeys, raccoons, frogs and lots of nice wildlife.”

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Rio de Janeiro: Vidigal Favela Tour and Two Brothers Hike - Climbing Morro Dois Irmaos
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Rio de Janeiro: Vidigal Favela Tour and Two Brothers Hike

5.Vidigal Favela Tour and Two Brothers Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 121 reviews · 5 hours · from $88

Spend five hours exploring Vidigal with a local guide, then hike Morro Dois Irmaos for views over Rocinha, Pedra da Gávea, Corcovado, and Rio’s beaches. The route uses local neighborhood transport, including motorbike taxis on some outings. Guides speak English, Spanish, or Portuguese; the hike is steep in places.

“Really a great tour. Great views, very interesting tour of the favela, very good guide. It was like a personal tour.”

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Rio de Janeiro: Dois Irmãos Peak Sunrise, Day or Sunset Hike - Finding the blue steps in Vidigal
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Rio de Janeiro: Dois Irmãos Peak Sunrise, Day or Sunset Hike

6.Dois Irmãos Peak Sunrise, Day or Sunset Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 94 reviews · 3h 30m · from $54

Meet your guide at Vidigal’s blue steps, ride a moto-taxi to the trailhead, then hike about 1.5 km uphill to Dois Irmãos Peak. Choose a 3:20 AM sunrise start or a 10:00 AM or 3:30 PM daytime tour. Guides speak Portuguese, English, Spanish, and French; names include Milena, Thaina, and Nat.

“Our sunrise hike was unforgettable, thanks to our incredible guide, Milena. She was warm, knowledgeable, and went out of her way to make sure everyone felt comfortable and had a great time. Milena answered all our questions with enthusiasm, shared fascinating insights about Rio, and found the perfect spot to watch the sunrise. Her passion and attention to detail made this one of the highlights of our trip. If you’re considering the sunrise hike, definitely ask for Milena.”

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Rio de Janeiro: Pedra da Gávea Guided Hike Tour - The trail asks for effort from the start
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Rio de Janeiro: Pedra da Gávea Guided Hike Tour

7.Pedra da Gávea Guided Hike Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 86 reviews · 8 hours · from $68

Spend about eight hours hiking Pedra da Gávea, a 842-meter summit above Rio, with a small group and a guide speaking English, Spanish or Portuguese. You’ll tackle a rocky climbing section with certified gear and, if the weather is clear, look out to Guanabara Bay, Rio’s beaches and Tijuca National Park. Past guides have included Sergio, Eduardo and Fernando.

“Great guide and a great tour. They tend to cancel at really short notice if there are not enough people. Which I can understand but please plan more time. I recommend to just pay for the group to fill up.”

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Rio: Tijuca National Park Small-Group Hike to Pedra Bonita - Walking the Atlantic rainforest trail
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Rio: Tijuca National Park Small-Group Hike to Pedra Bonita

8.Tijuca National Park Small-Group Hike to Pedra Bonita

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 79 reviews · 5 hours · from $63

Ride from Rio’s South Zone into Tijuca National Park, then hike about two hours through Atlantic rainforest to Pedra Bonita’s 696-meter summit. A bilingual guide leads a group of up to six, sharing local nature and Rio history. The route is rated easy, but includes rough, uphill and downhill terrain.

“The tour to tijuca forest and all the way to Pedra Bonita was excellent! I got to enjoy the nature during the walk and had an interesting history lesson and other discussion about Brazil and Rio. The only downside for me was the easiness of the tour but that was partly my own fault because I chose the trip which demand level was "easy". After the trip I wanted to make another visit to the forest by myself but two different tourist infos adviced that either I should rent a car to get to the forest or book a tour. Renting a car in Rio was not an option (after…”

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Trail and Rappel on Morro Dois Irmãos - The 50-minute hike to Morro Dois Irmãos
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Trail and Rappel on Morro Dois Irmãos

9.Trail and Rappel on Morro Dois Irmãos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 77 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $85Top rated

From Praça do Vidigal, travel up the hill by van or motorcycle taxi, then hike about 50 minutes to Morro Dois Irmãos. An accredited guide provides beginner instructions, safety equipment, and photos. The four-hour outing includes rappelling, with transport and the trail access fee paid separately. William has been named as a guide, but ask who will lead your date.

“We had the best tour guide ever (William)!! We were not a fit bunch, but I really wanted to do this hike and repel for my birthday. William pushed us all the way to the end and I appreciate him a lot for it. Without him we would have not made it and he made it fun. I would recommend this excursion to everyone and esp to get William!”

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Small Group Hike to Saco Bravo Waterfall - The Waterfall and Its Ocean-Facing Pool
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Small Group Hike to Saco Bravo Waterfall

10.Small Group Hike to Saco Bravo Waterfall

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 74 reviews · from $81

Set out from Paraty at 6:30 am with an accredited guide, then travel by boat to Ponta Negra and hike about 8.4 km through Atlantic Forest to Saco Bravo Waterfall. The round-trip boat and guide are included; private transport is not. Expect a demanding day, stream crossings, and a natural pool above the sea.

“This is a really authentic and stunning hike through the Mata Atlantica. Our guide Eugenia was knowledgeable and friendly.”

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Sugarloaf Mountain Climbing Trail - Pedra Filosofal and the view along the way
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Sugarloaf Mountain Climbing Trail

11.Sugarloaf Mountain Climbing Trail

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 73 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $62

Take a private, guided route up Sugarloaf Mountain that mixes trail walking, exposed rock and a short, roughly 20-meter climbing section with ropes and safety gear. Pause by Pedra Filosofal at 350 meters, reach the summit, then descend by cable car to Morro da Urca and continue by trail. Sergio Ricardo and Flavio are among the named guides.

“my guide Sergio Ricardo was amazing…professional, safety was first, and knowledgeable. we climbed the south east side of sugarloaf mountain. it was not easy, definitely not for beginners or people afraid of heights. i had a great time”

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Hiking in the Tijuca Forest : Waterfalls and Caves - Taunay Waterfall: the park’s signature cascade
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Hiking in the Tijuca Forest : Waterfalls and Caves

12.Hiking in the Tijuca Forest : Waterfalls and Caves

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 72 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $62

Trade Rio’s city streets for Tijuca National Park’s rainforest trails, waterfalls, and Bat Cave on a five-hour guided outing. You’ll stop at Canoas Lookout, Taunay Waterfall, and Chinese View, with a light-to-moderate hike and hotel pickup in Rio’s South Zone. Guides such as Eduardo and Victor have led outings, but your guide may vary.

“Both, my husband and I, enjoyed the tour with Eduardo. The forest is lush and beautiful. We were lucky to be included in a group with some very nice people. We got to see monkeys and birds, and enjoyed being out in nature and the beautiful landscape. Everything went well, from my initial communication with the team, to the pickup in the morning, to them dropping us off. The only two negatives for me were the price — I think it was a bit expensive for what was included; and I wish we had seen more animals, but that’s not something the guide can control. Also, going into the waterfall…”

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Garganta do Céu and Waterfall hike in Pedra da Gávea - Booking, timing, and weather
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Garganta do Céu and Waterfall hike in Pedra da Gávea

13.Garganta do Céu and Waterfall hike in Pedra da Gávea

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 71 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $58

Join an accredited guide for a roughly four-hour hike in Tijuca National Park, climbing about two hours over rocky, sometimes steep ground to Garganta do Céu. Look out toward Christ the Redeemer, Pedra da Gávea, and Rio’s southern beaches, then stop at Sorimã Waterfall. Photos and videos are included; meals, water, and private transport are not.

“This was a very challenging hike for me. Took me 2hrs going up. Rugged terrain with lots of rocks. Ron Beulah is an excellent guide and truly helped to make sure that I got up and down without incident. There were 3 tourists & 1 guide. If you have any major health issues or are out of shape do not do this hike! You need at least 2 liters of water and snacks. It was very rewarding and satisfying to see the monkeys and tropical forests. I’d do it again since I’m aware of the level of difficulty.”

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Pedra da Gavea Guided Hiking tour - Carrasqueira: Where the Hike Gets Hands-On
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Pedra da Gavea Guided Hiking tour

14.Pedra da Gavea Guided Hiking tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 71 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $70

Spend about eight hours hiking through Tijuca National Park to Pedra da Gávea, with a group capped at six. Expect a steep, humid trail, a guided climb through the Carrasqueira rock section, and a rope-controlled descent. Guides have included Sergio, Lucas, Luiz, Didi, and Eduardo, though your guide may differ. Bring grippy shoes, a backpack, snacks, and three liters of water.

“It was a good things to do this hiking, It was hard but it worth all the effort we put to reach the top of the rock. Luiz is a excellent guide, he knows his stuffs and was so helpful with us. If you are in Rio, don't miss this opportunity!”

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Half Day Hiking Tour Morro Dois Irmaos and Favela Vidigal - A descent into Vidigal, not just a viewpoint
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Half Day Hiking Tour Morro Dois Irmaos and Favela Vidigal

15.Half Day Hiking Tour Morro Dois Irmaos and Favela Vidigal

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 65 reviews · from $53Best value

This four to five hour tour pairs a moderate hike in the Morro Dois Irmaos reserve with a walk through Vidigal. Expect a motorcycle taxi ride, sweeping views toward Rocinha and the coast, and time at a hilltop hostel and kiosk. Fernando is named as a guide for the experience; confirm who will lead your date.

“Fernando is a Star. This is the best tour in South America that I have done thus far (travelled ~5 months over multiple years throughout South America). My partner and I took this tour for the sunrise option and the views are absolutely stunRead more”

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Rio, by what you came for

Peaks, trails, the bay or the samba floor.