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Brazil🇧🇷 | hikesPico do PapagaioParrot-beak granite, Ilha Grande, Abraão lookouts, rope slabs | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Pico do Papagaio
👌 Worth visitinghike ranked #15
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

Pico do Papagaio is the 982-meter granite peak on Ilha Grande whose profile does look like a parrot’s beak, and the summit view is the reason to climb. The island sits off the coast of Rio de Janeiro state in Brazil, reached by ferry from Angra dos Reis or Conceição de Jacareí. When I stepped off the boat at Abraão, the trail sign at the edge of the village made the climb feel close and real. The route is steep, slippery after rain and exposed in places, so start early and carry water. Skip the guide-free summit attempt in fog. Unlike the Pico do Papagaio’s busier neighbor, Lopes Mendes beach walk, this is a real climb.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Brazil Travel Guide.
Best time to go: May - September
Duration: 6 hours
Distance: 11 kilometers
Total ascent: 900 meters


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #15 hike in BrazilWhy visitors keep coming back

Pico do Papagaio rewards backpackers who want a 982-meter summit without leaving the island's village base. The trail starts close to Abraão, so you can climb in the morning and be back for lunch, which suits a trip that also covers beaches and ferry hops along the Costa Verde. The other draw is the view: on a clear day you see the whole Ilha Grande bay, the mainland coast and the green slopes dropping to the sea. The climb is cheap if you go with a small local group, and the route can be paired with a night on the island before you move on toward Paraty or Rio.

💡 HighlightsWhat this place is best known for

  1. The parrot’s-beak summit: the granite crown that gives the peak its name, with a wide view over the island and mainland.
  2. Atlantic Forest trail: the lower slopes pass through dense, humid forest with ferns, bromeliads and birdsong overhead.
  3. Abraão village views: from the open rock sections you can look down on the harbor and the whitewashed church.
  4. Bay panorama: boats, small islands and the long mainland ridge line spread out below on a clear morning.
  5. Rock scrambles: the last stretch uses exposed granite slabs and ropes in places, which makes the top feel earned.
If time is short, skip the rock scrambles and enjoy the forest and village views instead.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Pico do Papagaio

Ilha Grande 6 day Private Trekking Expedition around the Island by Local Guides

Ilha Grande 6 day Private Trekking Expedition around the Island by Local Guides

5.0(22) 144h
From €4,533
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Choosing the right time of year

  • Dry Season (May to September): Cooler, clearer weeks suit the steep Ilha Grande climb best, with highs of 24 to 28°C (75 to 82°F), lows near 17 to 20°C (63 to 68°F), and views over the bay from the summit.
  • Summer (December to March): Hot and humid at 29 to 35°C (84 to 95°F), with afternoon storms and slick roots. Beaches below are packed, and lodging prices climb around Christmas and Carnival.
  • Shoulder Months (April, October, November): Mild temperatures, thinner crowds, and lower prices make these a solid compromise.
  • Daylight: Roughly 10.5 to 11 hours in June and 13 hours in December, so winter days leave less margin.
Start at first light on any day, since cloud tends to build over the summit by midday.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: fair for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: highly recommended for travelingJULJuly: good for travelingAUGAugust: good for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: fair for travelingDECDecember: fair for traveling
brazil-hike-pico-do-papagaio
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🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

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🥾 Hike detailsA practical overview of the hike

Total Distance: Pico do Papagaio is roughly 11 to 12 kilometers round trip from Abraão.
Duration: Plan about 6 hours including a summit break.
Difficulty: Moderate to demanding, with steep, slippery sections after rain.
Starting Point: Abraão, the main village on Ilha Grande, reached by ferry from the mainland ports.
Major Landmarks:
  • Forest trailhead: The path leaves the village and climbs into the trees.
  • Rock slabs: Open granite sections give the first long views.
  • Summit: A narrow rocky top with a wide panorama.
Terrain and Scenery: Roots, mud, steps of rock and bare granite, with views of the bay and
… read more 👉
Total Distance: Pico do Papagaio is roughly 11 to 12 kilometers round trip from Abraão.
Duration: Plan about 6 hours including a summit break.
Difficulty: Moderate to demanding, with steep, slippery sections after rain.
Starting Point: Abraão, the main village on Ilha Grande, reached by ferry from the mainland ports.
Major Landmarks:
  • Forest trailhead: The path leaves the village and climbs into the trees.
  • Rock slabs: Open granite sections give the first long views.
  • Summit: A narrow rocky top with a wide panorama.
Terrain and Scenery: Roots, mud, steps of rock and bare granite, with views of the bay and coast.
Vegetation: Atlantic Forest, with ferns, bromeliads and tall trees giving way to scrub near the top.
Wildlife: Marmosets, tanagers and other forest birds are common, and lizards sun on the rocks.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetyScams, Hazards, and Annoyances

Pico do Papagaio is a steep, rooty climb on Ilha Grande rather than a dangerous one, but it is tougher than the short distance suggests. Footing turns greasy after rain, so wear shoes with real grip, not flip-flops. Heat and humidity cause most problems, so carry at least 2 liters of water per person and start early. The final scramble uses rock and ropes in places, so go slowly and keep three points of contact. Stay on the marked path, since side trails fade into forest. Monkeys and coatis may approach for food, so keep snacks packed away. Tell your pousada your plans before heading up.
Check Country Safety

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Expect about 6 hours round trip for Pico do Papagaio, including a break on top. The trail from the Abraão area covers roughly 11 to 12 kilometers return, with most of the effort in the steep final section. Starting by 7 a.m. keeps you ahead of the afternoon heat and clouds on Ilha Grande.
Pico do Papagaio is moderately hard, mostly because of sustained steepness, humidity, and a final scramble over rock with some fixed ropes. Most reasonably fit hikers manage it, but it is not a casual stroll. Climbing gains roughly 900 meters, and wet roots and rock make descents slower. Good shoes and plenty of water help a lot.
A guide is not required for Pico do Papagaio, though many Abraão pousadas can arrange one for about US$20 to 40 per person. The main trail is marked, and no permit is needed for the climb itself. Ilha Grande charges a small environmental or boat landing fee on arrival, usually a few dollars. Hiring a guide makes sense in wet weather or if you dislike scrambling.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Brazilian hikes near Pico do Papagaio

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We 💚 feedbackKey takeaways before you go

Pico do Papagaio looks like a short village hike, but the rock slabs near the top turn slick after even light rain. I would go early on a dry day, wear shoes with real grip, and carry more water than seems necessary.

✈️ When did I visit Brazil?
Call it good timing or luck, but I was able to celebrate Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro in February 2022, after a round trip in the north and east coast.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Brazil, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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