standard hiking route

Access: from the end of the Estrada (street) da Sorima in Barra da Tijuca. There is a small parking lot which fills up early on week-ends and during holidays.

Ascent: - entrance is by gate number 936. Note that this is a guarded public park (Parque Nacional da Tijuca) so one needs to register with the guards. Opening hours vary but typically no earlier than 8am and no later than 5pm. - first part is easy and enjoyable hike in the tropical forest and you often get to see animals. This is also the most humid part of the hike i.e. the most sweaty - then come a few amusing section equipped with some metal rungs or cables - the serious bit is the “Carrasqueira”, about 20 meters with a rating of II (hence the T4 hike rating - not T5 because the terrain is stable), i.e. numerous and large hand and footholds and no athletic ability required, and rope not really needed. It is not exposed though the vertical W side is not far and can make some people additionally nervous. - the summit is large and flat and provides wonderful 360 degree views of Rio de Janeiro

Descent: - same itinerary. There are of course other options, the most interesting being the trail that connects Pedra da Gavea with Pedra Bonita - but of course all these options imply a logistical aspect (which can be resolved by taxi of course, this being an in-city hike)