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Brazil🇧🇷 | national parksTijuca National ParkReplanted rainforest, Corcovado, Pico da Tijuca, city trails | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Tijuca
🏆 Top picknational park ranked #6
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

Tijuca is not a single hilltop with a statue. It is one of the world’s largest urban forests, a replanted Atlantic rainforest, and Christ the Redeemer is just one corner of it. The park sits in the heart of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, rising right above the southern and western neighborhoods. Trails are well marked, the forest is lush, and marmosets and toucans turn up near the paths. The catch is that sights are scattered, and sunrise queues at Corcovado get long. Skip the tour vans, because they rush you through. Take the train or a ride-share to the base instead, since the cog railway has fixed departures and sells out. At a juice stand near Cascatinha, the vendor told me to hike before ten, when the stone steps still run quiet. I did. Best for active walkers; poor for anyone wanting a quick photo stop.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #6 national park in BrazilThe unique appeal for travelers

Tijuca National Park rewards backpackers who like to string their own route together. Trailheads sit inside a city with a metro and buses, so you can sleep in a hostel in Santa Teresa or Botafogo and be under forest canopy within an hour. That freedom matters, because guided jeep tours cover the main viewpoints in a few hours and skip the quiet paths. Walking up Pedra da Gávea or the forest trail to Corcovado costs nothing beyond the park gate fees where they apply, and you set your own pace. The network also links waterfalls, old coffee-plantation ruins and granite lookouts, so you can build a full day or just a morning. Trails are signed in Portuguese, and a downloaded offline map helps. Pack water, because kiosks are few once you leave the main sectors. Self-guided hikers get the best of … read more 👉
Tijuca National Park rewards backpackers who like to string their own route together. Trailheads sit inside a city with a metro and buses, so you can sleep in a hostel in Santa Teresa or Botafogo and be under forest canopy within an hour. That freedom matters, because guided jeep tours cover the main viewpoints in a few hours and skip the quiet paths. Walking up Pedra da Gávea or the forest trail to Corcovado costs nothing beyond the park gate fees where they apply, and you set your own pace. The network also links waterfalls, old coffee-plantation ruins and granite lookouts, so you can build a full day or just a morning. Trails are signed in Portuguese, and a downloaded offline map helps. Pack water, because kiosks are few once you leave the main sectors. Self-guided hikers get the best of the park, while the highest-risk climbs are where a local guide earns the money.

💡 HighlightsMust-see experiences and standout moments

  1. Cristo Redentor (Corcovado): The statue is on the Corcovado peak in the park’s Tijuca Forest sector, and it is the sight everyone searches for. The 30 meter figure stands on a 700 meter peak. Go by the cog train through the forest or by official van; the trail up is steep and rarely done.
  2. Pico da Tijuca: The highest point in the park at about 1,020 meters. The path ends in a short stretch of carved steps and an iron handrail, then a flat rock summit with views to Guanabara Bay and the Sugarloaf.
  3. Cascatinha Taunay: A 30 meter waterfall just inside the Tijuca Forest entrance, reached by a short walk from the road. It is easy, shaded and a good first stop for anyone short on time.
  4. Capela Mayrink: A small 19th-century chapel whose Portinari panels now hang in the National Museum of Fine Arts, with
… read more 👉
  1. Cristo Redentor (Corcovado): The statue is on the Corcovado peak in the park’s Tijuca Forest sector, and it is the sight everyone searches for. The 30 meter figure stands on a 700 meter peak. Go by the cog train through the forest or by official van; the trail up is steep and rarely done.
  2. Pico da Tijuca: The highest point in the park at about 1,020 meters. The path ends in a short stretch of carved steps and an iron handrail, then a flat rock summit with views to Guanabara Bay and the Sugarloaf.
  3. Cascatinha Taunay: A 30 meter waterfall just inside the Tijuca Forest entrance, reached by a short walk from the road. It is easy, shaded and a good first stop for anyone short on time.
  4. Capela Mayrink: A small 19th-century chapel whose Portinari panels now hang in the National Museum of Fine Arts, with replicas at the altar. It sits near the waterfall and is quick to see.
  5. Vista Chinesa: A hilltop gazebo in Chinese style, inaugurated in 1903, looking over Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, Ipanema and Leblon. Mornings give clearer views.
  6. Mesa do Imperador: A stone lookout platform with a broad view over the forest and the city, once used by the imperial family for picnics. Reached by a short walk from the road.
  7. Pedra da Gávea: A granite monolith of about 842 meters in the park’s Barra da Tijuca side. The climb has exposed scrambling and a final rock section, so a guide is wise. Views reach the coast and Pedra Bonita.
The Mesa do Imperador gives a wide view without the crowds found at the big landmark.
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Things to do around Tijuca National Park

Tijuca National Park and all its wonders

Tijuca National Park and all its wonders

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Rio Highlights Express: Christ, Sugarloaf & Beaches Half Day Tour.

Rio Highlights Express: Christ, Sugarloaf & Beaches Half Day Tour.

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Private Hiking Tour to Tijuca Peak - Tijuca National Park - by OIR Aventura

Private Hiking Tour to Tijuca Peak - Tijuca National Park - by OIR Aventura

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Rio Hang Gliding & Paragliding w/ Brazilian Champion 4k Video inc

Rio Hang Gliding & Paragliding w/ Brazilian Champion 4k Video inc

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11-hours Top Private Full Day of Rio de Janeiro

11-hours Top Private Full Day of Rio de Janeiro

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Rio Rainforest Ride An Unforgettable Mountain Bike Tour

Rio Rainforest Ride An Unforgettable Mountain Bike Tour

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Christ, St. Teresa, Selaron & Farmers Market. 6 Hours Tour.

Christ, St. Teresa, Selaron & Farmers Market. 6 Hours Tour.

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Private Tour: Explore Rio creating your own Itinerary

Private Tour: Explore Rio creating your own Itinerary

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Rio Essentials: Selaron Steps, Sugar Loaf and Christ Redeemer

Rio Essentials: Selaron Steps, Sugar Loaf and Christ Redeemer

5.0(13) 9h
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Private Hiking to Gávea Stone - Tijuca National Park - by OIR Aventura

Private Hiking to Gávea Stone - Tijuca National Park - by OIR Aventura

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

🌤️ When to go?When to go for the best experience

  • Dry Season (May to September): Rio’s clearest, most stable stretch for trails, with daytime highs of 24 to 27°C (75 to 81°F) and cool mornings near 17°C (63°F). Visibility from Pedra da Gávea and Corcovado is at its best, and days run roughly 11 hours.
  • Summer (December to March): Hot and humid, 30 to 38°C (86 to 100°F), with afternoon thunderstorms that turn rock and roots slick. Start hikes at dawn, and expect about 13 hours of daylight.
  • Shoulder Months (April, October, November): Mild at 22 to 29°C (72 to 84°F), with fewer people on trails and lower prices.
  • Crowds and Prices: Christmas to Carnival and July school holidays push beds up sharply. Weekends fill Corcovado and Pico da Tijuca.
Aim for a weekday in June or September, and be on the trail by 7 a.m.

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

Stay in Rio’s Santa Teresa, Botafogo or Copacabana, because there are no lodgings or campgrounds for backpackers inside Tijuca National Park. Santa Teresa is closest to the forest edge, with hillside hostels, tram-line cafés and a short ride to the Corcovado train station at Cosme Velho. Dorm beds run about US$12 to 25 a night. Botafogo is the practical hub for hikers: metro access, a string of hostels at US$12 to 22 a bed, and quick rides to the Floresta da Tijuca entrance and Parque Lage. Copacabana and Ipanema cost a little more (US$15 to 30 a dorm bed) but put you near beaches and the metro. … read more 👉
Stay in Rio’s Santa Teresa, Botafogo or Copacabana, because there are no lodgings or campgrounds for backpackers inside Tijuca National Park. Santa Teresa is closest to the forest edge, with hillside hostels, tram-line cafés and a short ride to the Corcovado train station at Cosme Velho. Dorm beds run about US$12 to 25 a night. Botafogo is the practical hub for hikers: metro access, a string of hostels at US$12 to 22 a bed, and quick rides to the Floresta da Tijuca entrance and Parque Lage. Copacabana and Ipanema cost a little more (US$15 to 30 a dorm bed) but put you near beaches and the metro. For Pico da Tijuca and the Açude waterfall, Alto da Boa Vista has a few pousadas and guesthouses from about US$40 a double, quiet and green but with thin evening food options. Book ahead for Carnival and New Year, when prices roughly double. Whichever base you choose, choose one near the metro and your early starts get far easier.
Best hostels in Brazil


Best quality hotels in Brazil

👛 Costs (as of 19 October 2026)Money, prices, and spending tips

A realistic backpacker budget for Tijuca National Park is about US$22 to 65 per day, including a dorm bed in Rio.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance feeUS$0 to 3The forest sector and most trails are free; Corcovado uses a separately ticketed route, with tickets around US$20 to 30 for the train or van.
Accommodation (high season)US$12 to 30Dorm beds in Santa Teresa, Botafogo or Copacabana; private rooms start near US$40.
Local transportUS$2 to 10Metro and city buses cost under US$1.50 a ride, and rideshares to trailheads such as Alto da Boa Vista are about US$5 to 10 each way.
Food and suppliesUS$8 to 18Por quilo lunches cost US$5 to 9. Bring snacks and water, as options inside the park are limited to a few kiosks.
Guide (optional)US$0 to 4Averaged daily; guided Pedra da Gávea hikes usually
… read more 👉
A realistic backpacker budget for Tijuca National Park is about US$22 to 65 per day, including a dorm bed in Rio.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance feeUS$0 to 3The forest sector and most trails are free; Corcovado uses a separately ticketed route, with tickets around US$20 to 30 for the train or van.
Accommodation (high season)US$12 to 30Dorm beds in Santa Teresa, Botafogo or Copacabana; private rooms start near US$40.
Local transportUS$2 to 10Metro and city buses cost under US$1.50 a ride, and rideshares to trailheads such as Alto da Boa Vista are about US$5 to 10 each way.
Food and suppliesUS$8 to 18Por quilo lunches cost US$5 to 9. Bring snacks and water, as options inside the park are limited to a few kiosks.
Guide (optional)US$0 to 4Averaged daily; guided Pedra da Gávea hikes usually cost US$30 to 60 per person.
Total Daily BudgetUS$22 to 65Per person, per day, in high season.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🥾 TrailsTrail guide for Tijuca national park

Tijuca National Park offers short strolls and steep summit pushes, all through Atlantic forest with granite outcrops, bamboo stands and the occasional marmoset or coati.
  • Pico da Tijuca: About 3 km round trip from the Bom Retiro trailhead, 1.5 to 2 hours, moderate. Stone steps, then a short iron-chain scramble to the summit.
  • Pedra da Gávea: About 4 km round trip, 4 to 5 hours, hard. Steep forest path, then exposed rock where a guide is a sensible choice.
  • Corcovado Trail: Around 3.5 km one way from Parque Lage, 2 to 3 hours, moderate. Climbs through shaded forest with steady gradients and road crossings
… read more 👉
Tijuca National Park offers short strolls and steep summit pushes, all through Atlantic forest with granite outcrops, bamboo stands and the occasional marmoset or coati.
  • Pico da Tijuca: About 3 km round trip from the Bom Retiro trailhead, 1.5 to 2 hours, moderate. Stone steps, then a short iron-chain scramble to the summit.
  • Pedra da Gávea: About 4 km round trip, 4 to 5 hours, hard. Steep forest path, then exposed rock where a guide is a sensible choice.
  • Corcovado Trail: Around 3.5 km one way from Parque Lage, 2 to 3 hours, moderate. Climbs through shaded forest with steady gradients and road crossings near the top.
  • Cascatinha Taunay and Capela Mayrink: Under 1 km, 20 to 30 minutes, easy. Paved or flat dirt, suitable for families.
  • Mesa do Imperador and Vista Chinesa: Short forest walks of 30 to 60 minutes, easy to moderate, along roads and trails with lookouts.
The park is reachable by metro and local bus from central Rio, then a short ride-share to individual sectors. Corcovado and the busier sectors fill up by late morning, while the forest interior is quiet on weekdays. Entry to the park itself is free, though the Corcovado train and some sectors charge for access. Trails are marked, yet carry water and a map, and avoid isolated stretches late in the day.
⚠️ 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.

🛡️ SafetySafety Tips and Common Scams in Tijuca

Tijuca’s trails are well used and straightforward, but a few habits matter. Start early, since afternoon storms in summer make granite steps and the chain sections on Pedra da Gávea slippery, and that route is steep enough to need decent shoes and a guide if you dislike exposure. Carry at least 2 liters of water, as heat and humidity drain you faster than the distance suggests. Marmosets and coatis are common near viewpoints; don’t feed them, and keep food zipped away. Petty theft and occasional robberies have happened on isolated, low-traffic trails and around park edges, so hike on busy routes, go in a group when possible, and carry only a phone and a little cash. Download offline maps, because signal drops under the canopy, and stay on marked paths, which are signed in Portuguese.
Check Country Safety

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Plan on 2 to 3 days for Tijuca National Park if you want its main sights without rushing. One day covers Corcovado and the Floresta da Tijuca sector, with Pico da Tijuca (1,022 m) taking about 3 to 4 hours round trip. A second day suits Pedra da Gávea or the Açude and Cascatinha waterfalls, and a third lets you add Parque Lage.
Yes, Tijuca National Park is easy to reach without a car, since it sits inside Rio. The Corcovado train leaves from Cosme Velho, a short ride from Botafogo or Santa Teresa, and the metro plus a bus or rideshare reaches Alto da Boa Vista in about 40 to 60 minutes. Rideshares to trailheads cost roughly US$5 to 10 each way.
Tijuca National Park has no general entrance fee for most trails, including Pico da Tijuca and the waterfalls, and no permit is needed for day hikes. Corcovado is the exception, with train or van tickets of about US$20 to 30, depending on the season and the operator. Guided hikes up Pedra da Gávea typically cost US$30 to 60, and tickets are best booked online on busy weekends.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

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We 💚 feedbackWhat to keep in mind

Tijuca National Park is best on a weekday morning in the cooler, drier months, when the stone steps are empty and the summit views are crisp. I would start early and keep a rain layer handy, because afternoon clouds can close the view. Skip peak weekends if quiet matters to you.

✈️ 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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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

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