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Travel bucket list idea:

Last updated: 25 June, 2023
Expert travel writer: Alex Robinson

Most of central Rio’s boulder-mountains are protected as a vast sweep of wild tropical forest – cut by mountain streams and waterfalls and busy with toucans and monkeys as small as a kitten.

With fabulous views of the Christ the Redeemer statue and Rio’s beaches at every turn, Tijuca is a wonderful place for a steep cycle ride or hike with a view. Jungle trails run to a series of spectacular peaks – including Gavea Rock (Pedra Gavea, the world’s largest monolith), Bonita Rock (Pedra Bonita, where there’s hang gliding) and Tijuca Peak (Pico da Tijuca), the highest peak in Rio.

The path up Gávea involves an exposed rope-assisted scramble that hovers over a sheer precipice. It’s not for the faint-hearted but the views are incredible. The path to Pedra Bonita is steep but short and easier – taking around 40 minutes, with stunning views over southern Rio. Active types should not miss the exceptional 3-hour hike to Tijuca Peak.

Hang glide off Bonita Rock

Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Region, Brazil

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Bucket List Experience
Glider takes off from mountain top

Hang-gliding heaven from atop a giant rock monolith, and out over rainforest, bays and beaches. One of the world’s greatest hang-glides.

Adult price: £120

Min age 14

Best for ages 14+

Duration: 3 hours

Hike up Tijuca Peak

Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Region, Brazil

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Bucket List Experience
Hike up Tijuca Peak

Breathy and breathtaking rainforest hike to the highest peak in Rio de Janeiro’s urban mountain range, stopping at Tijuca National Park’s waterfalls on the way.

Best for ages 13+

Duration: 4 hours

Hike up Gavea Rock

Rio de Janeiro , Southeastern Region, Brazil

Forested mountain top with sea and sky in backgroung

This half-day hike through a wildlife- and waterfall-filled rainforest ends with a scary summit scramble. It rewards, though, with the best views in Rio. Guided rock climbs are also on offer.

Min age 18

Best for ages 18+

Duration: 6-8 hours

Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 4+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

Morning or full-day tours will pick you up between 8am-9am. Afternoon tours will pick you up between 1pm and 2pm.

When to do it

The best time to visit is in the early morning during the dry season (from April-November) when the wildlife is most active. The park is miserable when it’s raining and unsafe after dark.

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Tijuca Forest and Botanical Garden

Rio de Janeiro

Tijuca Forest and Botanical Garden
Enjoy close the natural diversity of Rio de Janeiro. Begin your tour at the Botanical Garden (options with and without tickets included) and visit the Sensory Garden, the Brazilwood (tree that gives name to the country), the Turtle Lake and the lake with the giant-water-lily. Walk through the bicentenary imperial palm trees as you go to the orchidarium and bromeliad house. Then, visit the Vista Chinesa gazebo (on Saturdays and Sundays will be off the route as vehicles are not allowed) and enjoy a panoramic view of Rio de Janeiro. In a distance, you can also see Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf. Follow to an adventure at Tijuca National Forest, one of the largest urban forest in the world. Observe the Taunay Waterfall and walk through a simple trail as you learn more about the Atlantic Forest, its flora and fauna. Get back to the vehicle and pass by the famous São Conrado beach to observe the hang gliders and paragliders, before returning to the hotel through a panoramic route.

Price: $34

Min age: 1

Rating 4.39 / 5 [78 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Tijuca National Park Jungle Hike from Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro

Tijuca National Park Jungle Hike from Rio de Janeiro
Hike through the Tijuca National Park on this 3-hour tour. Stop at a refreshing natural lagoon to slide down and swim in the waterfall. Learn the secrets of a tropical jungle and experience be in the second biggest urban forest in the world. tour also offers complimentary hotel pick up and drop off.

Price: $51

Min age: 0

Rating 4.5 / 5 [12 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Tijuca National Park and Botanic Garden Guided Tour & Transfer

Rio de Janeiro

Tijuca National Park and Botanic Garden Guided Tour & Transfer
Explore one of the largest urban forests in the world with a tour to the Tijuca National Park. Meet the tour guide at your hotel lobby and head to the Tijuca Forest. The area is home to different small species of animals, such as squirrels, monkeys, porcupines, foxes and armadillos. Plus, a million different butterflies, birds, and reptiles. Just remember that they are wild animals, so you must keep your distance and never feed them. Enjoy the tropical rainforest and learn about its rich biodiversity. On the way, admire the Vista Chinesa belvedere, the Taunay waterfall and the Mayrink Chapel. Take a pause to see from a distance the monolithic Pedra da Gávea and the Christ the Redeemer statue. As a bonus, we add the Botanic Garden in this tour for you. Explore the collection of more than 7,000 species of tropical plants, bromeliads, orchids and native Brazilian plants in the Botanic Garden. Tour guide, roundtrip transfer, entrance to Tijuca National Park included.

Price: $60

Min age: 0

Rating 4.38 / 5 [13 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Tijuca Rainforest Hiking Tour in Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro

Tijuca Rainforest Hiking Tour in Rio de Janeiro
Experience some of Rio de Janeiro’s stunning natural beauty on this hiking tour through the Tijuca Rainforest. Declared a national park in the ‘60s, Tijuca is home to Rio’s highest peak – Pico da Tijuca. Hike to this scenic spot with an experienced guide, learning about the rainforest as you go, and be rewarded with remarkable views of Rio and Guanabara Bay when you reach the top. It’s an active and educational way to spend a day in Rio!

Price: $85

Min age: 14

Rating 4.6 / 5 [10 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Tijuca National Park Hike and Waterfall Rappelling

Rio de Janeiro

Tijuca National Park Hike and Waterfall Rappelling
Enjoy an outdoor adventure in Rio de Janeiro as you go for a hike at the Tijuca National Park and then feel the rush as you rappel down a waterfall. This is a great option for all adventure seekers who wish to have a fun and feel adventurous while in Rio.

Price: $92

Min age: 10

Rating 4.75 / 5 [8 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Private 6-hour Hiking Tour in the Tijuca Forest: Waterfalls, Viewpoints & Picnic

Rio de Janeiro

Private 6-hour Hiking Tour in the Tijuca Forest: Waterfalls, Viewpoints & Picnic
Hike through Tijuca National Park's rainforest on a 6-hour eco-tour contemplating one of the most splendid views of Rio contrasting with the greatest urban forest in the world. Accompanied by an expert guide, expect a trilling tour full of nature with waterfalls, springs, small lakes, viewpoints, and historic sites. Animals, particularly monkeys, coatis and birds, can be seen all around during walks in the lush landscape and falls. The walking distance is about 7 km, round trip, is mostly in the shade, ranging from light to medium level of difficulty. The hiking time is about 4 hrs at a slow pace. Visit the calm and beautiful waterfalls where we stop for bath and pictures. Bring swimsuits along so that you can splash around. We then continue on for more 10 min up to the scenic weir called “Açude da Solidão”. Take a break at the edge of it and enjoy snacks picnic style. After having such an adventurous day, relax on the journey back to your hotel.

Price: $196

Min age: 9

Rating 5 / 5 [16 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Horto Waterfalls Circuit Adventure Tour in Tijuca National Park

Rio de Janeiro

Horto Waterfalls Circuit Adventure Tour in Tijuca National Park
Enjoy the Horto waterfalls tour with a specialist guide. The hike begins at Jequitibá Waterfall and ends at Shower Waterfall, also known as Box Waterfall. All waterfalls in the tour are permitted for bathing and shower.

Price: R250

Min age: 14

Rating 4.5 / 5 [8 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Jeep Tour - Tijuca Tropical Forest

Rio de Janeiro

Jeep Tour - Tijuca Tropical Forest
In a jeep, travel through the city to the rainforest of Tijuca National Park, on a half-day ecological tour. With guided walks along the trails, it will be possible to see monkeys, sloths, coatis and many birds. Contemplate the flora, history and wildlife and know that you are in one of the largest Urban Forests in the World. A little piece of Atlantic Forest in the heart of Rio de Janeiro.

Price: R258

Min age: 0

Rating 4.50 / 5 [51 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Tijuca Forest Half-Day Hike (Small Group or Private)

Rio de Janeiro

Tijuca Forest Half-Day Hike (Small Group or Private)
A half-day hike guided tour in Tijuca Forest National Park, one of the biggest urban rainforests in the world. Our experienced guides will take you on an amazing adventure hiking up one of the most stunning summits in Rio. You'll visit Pedra Bonita (696m=2283ft) a popular lookout in the Tijuca Rainforest with amazing views to the coastline of the city and a view to Gavea Rock, the flat 'table mountain' in Rio that provides incredible picture opportunities. During the tour, you'll experience the nature and the feeling of being in the tropical rainforest. In addition to the fun and adventure our team will provide information and curiosities about the flora and fauna, like monkeys, quatis, and toucans, that may appear in the way.  Highlights:  - Tijuca Rainforest National Park (03rd biggest urban forest in the world) - Amazing views in clear days (696m=2283ft= as high as the Christ Redeemer statue)

Price: R265

Min age: 8

Rating 4.96 / 5 [98 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Tijuca Forest Adventure Full-Day Hike (Small-Group or Private)

Rio de Janeiro

Tijuca Forest Adventure Full-Day Hike (Small-Group or Private)
A challenging hike in a very unusual part of Tijuca Forest, one of the biggest urban forests in the world. On this circuit of trails you'll walk approx 10,4km (6.5mi) and discover the nature and beauty of the jungle. Reaching the Taquara Hill (814m=2670ft), a 100m higher than Christ Redeemer with mazing views to the valley of the forest and the city, in clear days. Visit caves and also coffee farms ruin. After the hike, refresh in a waterfall* (bring towel/ bathing suit). On the route to the park, stop by another summit for pictures and admiring the landscape. The scenery of this tour is amazing with nature and a lot of adventure. You'll also learn the history of Brazil, of  Tijuca Forest and everything about the coffee farms of that area, and the reforestation that happened in the 1800's. *The water flow on the waterfalls varies according to the intensity of the rain.

Price: R350

Min age: 14

Rating 4.96 / 5 [83 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Excursion: Cristo Redentor, Tijuca National Forest and City Tour in 7 hours

Rio de Janeiro

Excursion: Cristo Redentor, Tijuca National Forest and City Tour in 7 hours
The ideal tour to enjoy the main sights of Rio de Janeiro. In this 7-hour tour you will get to know a little of the South Zone and the beach of São Conrado (main landing zone of Hang gliding and Paragliding, Tijuca National Forest, Corcovado, we go through Santa Teresa known as the traditional neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro and the Selarón Steps in Lapa where Snoop Dogg filmed his famous video “Beautiful”.

Price: R350

Min age: 0

Rating 5 / 5 [33 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Visit the Best Spots in Tijuca Forest - Hike to Caves & Falls

Rio de Janeiro

Visit the Best Spots in Tijuca Forest - Hike to Caves & Falls
The main point of the tour is showing the best viewpoints in Rio and also do a hiking to access hidden caves and waterfalls in the national park on cold days we also offer the option to visit the Pedra Bonita(The beautiful rock) one of the most beautiful peaks in the city. All the time we try to spot the park’s flora and fauna including: tucans, monkey, sloths, snakes and quatis! Also get to know interesting facts and stories about the park from our guides. Rio is world famous for its amazing landscapes and Its Incredible urban forest(one of the biggest in the world). For sure the Tijuca Forest is a must see in Rio. This tour will show the Best Spots of the Forest and make the visitors few the vibe of this amazing place in the heart of Rio. We Always work with small groups maximum of 6 people per car/ guide to keep the quality of our services.

Price: R400

Min age: 0

Rating 4.94 / 5 [74 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Rio de Janeiro

Southeastern Region, Brazil

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