Tijuca Peak hiking tour Rio de Janeiro: Summit and waterfall
Climb to Rio's highest urban viewpoint, then bathe in a mountain waterfall.
A guided hike through Tijuca National Park to Tijuca Peak, Rio de Janeiro's highest summit, with hotel pickup, park entry and a waterfall swim included. The route passes Vista Chinesa or São Conrado Beach (depending on the day), Taunay Waterfall and Baronesa Waterfall, with a certified guide speaking English, Spanish or Portuguese. The trek takes five to six hours and requires moderate fitness. The itinerary may shift based on weather or park conditions.
Options for this experience
2 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Hike to Tijuca Peak and Waterfalls
- Drive through Tijuca National Park
- Visit Mirante das Canoas viewpoint
- Hike to Tijuca Peak summit
- Stop at Vista Chinesa viewpoint
- Visit Taunay Waterfall
- Enjoy bath at Baronesa Waterfall
- Tijuca National Park 2h
- Vista Chinesa 15m
- São Conrado Beach 15m
What’s included
- Certified guide fluent in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
- park entry to Tijuca National Park.
- hotel or apartment pickup within the service zone.
- swimming time at Taunay Waterfall and Baronesa Waterfall.
- viewpoint stops at Vista Chinesa (weekdays) or São Conrado Beach (weekends).
Times
- Monday to Friday 07:30 13:00
- Saturday and Sunday 07:30
Before you book
Operated by Rio Natural Ecotourism
Prices and times updated 3 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
The day starts with pickup from your Rio hotel, then a drive into Tijuca National Park: one of the world's largest urban forests, dense with Atlantic rainforest and home to monkeys, sloths and birds you'll spot along the way. From there the hike begins, climbing toward Tijuca Peak at 1,021 meters above sea level. The trail passes through the park's quieter zones, including Mirante das Canoas, a viewpoint overlooking São Conrado and Pedra da Gávea, before the final push to the summit.
At the top, the view opens to 360 degrees: Rio's mountains, beaches, Guanabara Bay and the city skyline all visible at once. On weekdays, the route includes Vista Chinesa, an iconic belvedere with views of Copacabana, Ipanema and Corcovado framed by forest. On weekends when Vista Chinesa closes, the group stops at São Conrado Beach instead, where paragliders and hang gliders land against the backdrop of the Atlantic. Along the way you'll pass Taunay Waterfall, the park's largest at 40 meters, where there's time to photograph and swim.
After the descent, a final stop at Baronesa Waterfall gives you a chance to soak tired muscles in cool water before the drive back to your hotel. Your guide (certified and fluent in English, Spanish or Portuguese) leads the whole day and handles the park entry. You choose from three pickup times to fit your Rio schedule, and the itinerary can shift if weather, park rules or group fitness require it. Bring water, comfortable hiking shoes, a bathing suit and sunscreen. The five- to six-hour day is moderate to challenging and not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or cardiovascular concerns.
Is this one for you?Pick the private option if you want the guide to adjust pace and stops to your interests. Pick the shared tour if you prefer to hike with others and split costs.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided 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 is Tijuca Peak and why is the hike worth doing?
Tijuca Peak is the highest point in Tijuca National Park at 1,021 meters above sea level. The summit rewards hikers with 360° views of Rio's mountains, beaches, Guanabara Bay and skyline: a view most visitors to Rio never reach because it requires a guided hike into the park rather than a cable car or road.
Will I really see wildlife in Tijuca National Park?
Yes. The park is dense Atlantic rainforest and home to monkeys, sloths and birds. Spotting them is not guaranteed on any single hike, but the habitat is there and sightings are common enough that the guide will point out signs and likely encounters along the way.
What happens at the waterfalls on this tour?
You pass Taunay Waterfall, the park's largest at 40 meters, where you can swim and take photos. After the hike down from the summit, you stop at Baronesa Waterfall for a second swim. This one is specifically timed to soothe muscles after the climb, so bring a bathing suit for both.
Does the itinerary change, and if so why?
Yes. Vista Chinesa, an iconic viewpoint with views of Copacabana, Ipanema and Corcovado, is closed on weekends, so the tour visits São Conrado Beach instead on those days. The route may also shift due to weather conditions or the fitness level of the group, so the guide adjusts to keep everyone safe.
What do I need to bring and what fitness level is required?
Bring water, comfortable hiking or trekking shoes, a bathing suit, and sunscreen. The hike requires at least moderate physical fitness and is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or poor cardiovascular health. The full day is five to six hours of hiking with elevation gain.
How does pickup work?
The guide picks you up directly from your Rio hotel or apartment within the pickup zone: no need to travel to a meeting point. You choose from three departure times (early morning or afternoon options) when you book, so you can fit the tour into your Rio schedule.
Tijuca Peak hiking tour Rio de Janeiro: Summit and waterfall
5h–6h · EN · ES · PT · at your hotel
from US$ 89 per person
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