Hiking Jaraguá Park: São Paulo Peak with Rainforest Views

Climb to São Paulo's summit and see the city from inside the rainforest

This hiking ecotour takes you from downtown São Paulo to Jaraguá State Park, 40 minutes away, where you climb the Pico do Jaraguá trail to the city's highest peak. A licensed bilingual guide leads the 3,600-meter round-trip hike through Atlantic Forest, mostly shaded and ranging from light to medium difficulty, with the steepest stretch near the summit. You reach two lookouts at 1,135 meters where the view spans 360 degrees across São Paulo, and along the way you may spot marmosets, capuchin monkeys, toucans and sloths. Hotel pickup, entrance fees, transport and picnic supplies are included. The full experience takes about 5 hours.

The experience

You start from your hotel and travel 40 minutes to Jaraguá State Park, part of São Paulo's Green Belt: one of the last intact Atlantic Forest remnants within the city. Once there, your guide leads you onto the Pai Zé trail, the main route up Pico do Jaraguá. The path climbs 1,135 meters to the city's highest point, a walk of roughly 90 minutes at a steady pace. Most of the trail stays shaded beneath the rainforest canopy, and the difficulty stays light to medium until the final push to the summit, where the slope steepens.

The hike is built around watching the forest itself. Small marmosets leap between branches, capuchin monkeys move through the canopy, toucans call overhead, and sloths hang motionless in the trees. The vegetation shifts as you climb: the exotic plants of the Brazilian rainforest give way to the Cerrado ecoregion's own character. Your guide, fluent in English, Spanish or Portuguese, explains what you're seeing and points out details you'd miss alone. Picnic supplies are included, so you can rest and refuel along the way.

When you reach the summit, the effort resolves into the two lookouts at the peak. From 1,135 meters, the view circles the entire city: São Paulo spreads out in all directions, a stark contrast to the forest you've just walked through. After you've taken in the view and descended back to the trailhead, your driver returns you to your hotel. The whole outing, from pickup to drop-off, runs about 5 hours.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return transport.
• entrance and admission to Jaraguá State Park.
• a licensed bilingual guide fluent in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
• picnic supplies.
• all taxes, tolls and parking fees.

Options for this experience

2 options

Standard Private TourUp to 14 per booking · Guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese · 07:30, 08:00, 08:30 and 09:00Includes pickup

Sunday Special DealUp to 3 per booking · Guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese · 08:00Available only on Sundays, with hotel pickup at 8:00: Experience the same private tour at a special reduced rate. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to SundayDepartures at 07:30, 08:00, 08:30 and 09:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (8 and older) · Under 8: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Gregtur Turismo

Is this one for you?The 5-hour commitment and moderate fitness requirement mean this hike suits travelers with an afternoon or morning free and the stamina for a steady climb, not a quick city stop. The fixed route and guided pace work well for a first visit to São Paulo's highest point if you want the rainforest and the view without navigating the trail alone.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

56 verified traveler reviews

5 ★56

4 ★0

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What animals might I see on the Jaraguá hike?

Marmosets, capuchin monkeys, toucans and sloths all live in the Atlantic Forest around Pico do Jaraguá and are commonly spotted during the walk. The rainforest canopy and the Cerrado ecoregion support a range of wildlife, though sightings depend on the time of day and season.

How steep is the Jaraguá trail and how fit do I need to be?

The 3,600-meter round-trip trail ranges from light to medium difficulty, staying mostly shaded, with the steepest section only at the very end near the summit. The climb to the peak takes about 90 minutes at a slow pace. You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The hike is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

What's included in the price for this hike?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, entrance fees to Jaraguá State Park, transport by vehicle, a licensed bilingual guide, picnic supplies, and all taxes and parking fees are included. Tips are optional.

How long is the full experience from my hotel?

The entire outing takes about 5 hours, including the 40-minute drive from downtown São Paulo to the park, the 90-minute climb to the summit, time at the lookouts, the descent, and the return journey to your hotel.

What makes the view from Pico do Jaraguá special?

At 1,135 meters, Pico do Jaraguá is São Paulo's highest point, and the two summit lookouts offer a 360-degree view of the entire city. The contrast between the rainforest you've hiked through and the sprawl of São Paulo below makes the perspective unique in the city.