Climbing and Hiking Sugar Loaf Mountain

A trip to Rio without a visit to Corcovado and Sugar Loaf is not really a trip to Rio, is it? And after our post about 10 things you did not know about Christ the Redeemer, it is time to talk about the Marvellous City’s second most famous attraction.

Getting to Sugar Loaf is pretty easy for tourists. They can either go by themselves or book a city tour, combining it with other activities in Rio. But cariocas have a secret most foreigners don’t know: you can hike and climb to the top of Sugar Loaf! Climbing or hiking Sugar Loaf Mountain is a great alternative way of sightseeing in Rio de Janeiro!

[caption id="attachment_8631" align="aligncenter" width="610"] The cable car isn't the only option to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain! / Photo by Daytours4u[/caption]

The best thing about it is that you can adapt the hiking/climbing circuit to your personal physical abilities– you can even avoid climbing if you want to. Before choosing what is best for you, let us explain a little bit about Sugar Loaf. When you think about it, you picture the image below, right? Well, it is not exactly wrong, but it isn’t entirely correct either. Sugar Loaf (Pão de Açúcar) is actually just the bigger mountain (and not the whole complex as most people thing). The smaller one is called Morro da Urca (Urca Hill). So, the bondinho (cable car) connects the Urca neighborhood with Urca Hill and Sugar Loaf.

If you choose to get there with a Rio city tour, you’ll see both peaks by cable car. But if you want more of an adventure, you have two options: hike to the top of Urca Hill and then catch the cable car to and from Sugar Loaf; or when you hike to through Morro da Urca, walk to the connection between the two mountains and climb all the way to the top of Pão de Açúcar. Below, we’ll explain exactly how to go about it:

This option is the easier one, with an easily accessible track, ideal for beginners. It may take 40 minutes to get to the top of Morro da Urca, but it can be even less if you are in good shape.

You should make your way by bus or taxi to Praia Vermelha, in the neighborhood of Urca. On the left side of this beautiful small beach, there is an entrance to a paved trail called Pista Cláudio Coutinho (or Caminho Bem-Te-Vi) where lots of cariocas walk and run on weekends.

 When you get to the 350 meters mark on the floor of the trail, there will be a sign on the left indicating the beginning of the track to Urca hill (as shown in the picture below). The first part of the track is a bit steep, so you may want to start it slow and stop whenever you feel tired, to hydrate. But don’t worry: taking it slow isn’t boring at all since there is a lot of vegetation and a variety of birds and little monkeys around you to see.

As the path evens out,  you will get to a fork in the road: to the right is the trail to Sugar Loaf (that we will explain in the second part of this article) and to the left is the one to Urca Hill. So, GO LEFT! After walking a bit more, you get to a point from where you have an amazing view of Baía de Guanabara – and this is just a taste of what’s to come… Stop to take some pictures there and then keep walking – you will be almost at the top by that point.

[caption id="attachment_8632" align="aligncenter" width="610"] After walking up Urca Hill you can treat yourself to the cable car the rest of the way / Photo by Daytours4u[/caption]

After a couple of minutes more, you get to a gate and – voilá – you’ve arrived at Morro da Urca! Go have a break and refresh yourself while taking in the incredible views of Rio. But don’t think the journey ends here. When you feel ready for more, go buy the cable car tickets to and from Sugar Loaf. Enjoy the bondinho ride and, when you get there, experience one of the most amazing views of Rio. Later, you may go all the way down with the cable car until Praia Vermelha or get off before at the Urca Hill station and head back down on the track.

Extra tip: always visit Sugar Loaf on sunny days, since the best thing about it, is the view. And if you choose to do it in the afternoon, try to stick around until sunset, not only because it’s an amazing experience but also because the cable car ride from Urca Hill to Praia Vermelha is free after 19h.

First of all: you can’t do this on your own. You should book a hiking tour and go with professional guides and instructors that will adapt the itinerary to your level of climbing (there are options for beginners and advanced climbers).

[caption id="attachment_8635" align="aligncenter" width="610"] Climbing Sugar Loaf Mountain is an incredible experience / Source[/caption]

With your guides, you will follow the same instructions from the Urca Hill hiking we gave above up to the point where tracks split and the ones who will climb Sugar Loaf go to the right. At that point, you will receive all the equipment and instructions needed to get to the top. By then, your guide will already know your level and should indicate the best way up for you. There are 270 climbing and bouldering routes – so, don’t worry, there’s a route for every taste and level. Actually, the Sugar Loaf Complex is internationally famous for being one of the biggest urban climbing areas in the world.

You will climb for about 40 minutes before taking another small track to the peak of Sugar Loaf. It may be hard work to get there, but at the top you are compensated with an amazing view of Rio you won’t forget. After enjoying the sight for a bit, you will go back to Praia Vermelha by cable car (or, if you prefer, go just until Urca Hill and walk down the track).

If you’ve never climbed before, climbing Sugar Loaf Mountain is a great place to start. It is an incredible way to get to know the Marvelous City from a totally different angle. And, if you are a climber, you really can’t afford to miss this activity when travelling to Rio!