Best Hike in Rio – The Pedra da Gavea Hike

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Experience Rio de Janeiro like never before with the Pedra da Gavea Hike, a challenging yet rewarding adventure to the summit of the world’s largest coastal monolith.

About This Activity

Free cancelation

Change of plans? No problem. Cancel up to 24 hours before your tour for a full refund — no hidden fees.

Duration

6-8 hours

Live guide tour

Explore Rio with a local expert. Available in English, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Pickup included

We pick you up at your hotel!

You’ll receive your exact pick-up time by 8 PM the day before.

Morning tours: 6:45 – 8 AM | Afternoon tours: 12:30 – 2 PM.

Please be ready a few minutes early — our drivers wait up to 5 minutes.

Group Tours: Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, São Conrado only

Private Tours: Anywhere within Rio de Janeiro city

Private groups avaible

The larger your group at the time of booking, the more you save!
Group Tour: Pickup only in Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, and São Conrado
Private Tour: Pickup available anywhere in the city of Rio de Janeiro (municipality)

Highlighted reviews from other travelers

					An amazing way to see Rio! Really cool hike (plus some scrambling and a bit of rappelling!) It was reasonably challenging but the amazing views made it totally worth it, as did our lovely and very patient guide, Eduardo. The communication and transport by Itaway tours was great too. If you're up for an adventure I'd highly recommend this hike!				
Liz W
5/28/2025
					A wonderful but challenging hike in Rio! Thiago was an amazing guide! Full of knowledge and expertise, he made us feel safe, motivated, and cultured learning all about RJ and the surrounding areas. He took great photos of my husband and I and made sure to check in frequently. Be warned! This hike is not for the faint of heart, but was definitely a highlight of our trip so far. 10/10 would recommend. You’ll see wildlife, get the chance to drink natural spring water, and even a dunk at the end in a waterfall! Truly spectacular.				
Chloe N
1/21/2025
					Climbing in the Clouds Fabio from Itaway Tours was an amazing guide! Incredibly knowledgeable about the flora and fauna of Parque Nacional Tijuca, and a great sense of humour too! The hike was beautiful and exotic. We went on a cloudy day so there weren’t any views at the top but we waited about 10 minutes and it cleared up enough for some photos! The rock scramble and rappel is a great fun challenge, highly recommend! Go on a sunny day though, because hiking in rain/electric storms could lead to cancellations. Thank you all!				
Jake R
1/08/2025
					Great Views! Great hike up to some of the best views in Rio! We went for a half day and it was perfect for us. Even after experiencing the night life until late the previous night.				
Brian H
6/25/2024
					Great time, great hike and beautiful views. Great experience, went smooth and had a great time, Samuel showed us best spots on the way and explained Rio's history. Views 10/10.				
D Ź
6/25/2024
					Amazing Pedra de Gávea hike Superbly well organized tour…We did the Pedra De Gávea hike with Thalles and he was amazing. He made sure we went at our own pace, made sure we scaled the climbing parts safely and was also our photographer. He definitely knew the best places to take pictures. We felt safe and taken care of the whole hike, which was definitely strenuous and physically demanding at parts. But once you get to the top, it’s all worth it. Great day, great hike, great guide, and great company to do the tour with.				
Ritesh S
6/06/2024
					Challenging! We loved this but DO NOT BE FOOLED! This is a VERY challenging hike. We are all in very good shape and we all thought it was hard. There is a portion towards the top where you put on climbing harnesses and use a rope. Many other areas include pulling yourself up with chain or using roots. Having said all that, it was worth the view at the top and the sense of accomplishment! Rafael was our guide and we felt completely safe and cared for the entire time. We saw monkeys, marmosets, and even a sloth! Bring bug spray, 2 liters of water per person, and lunch. Plan on keeping a change of clothes or a towel in the car. Our clothes were so dirty and sweaty that I thought about throwing them away. Communication on the part of the company was great. I highly recommend them!				
jcjc927927
3/21/2024
					Awesome experience climbing a rock wall for the first time! If you have the endurance for it, Pedra da Gavea was an awesome hike that has impressed my family and friends. Rafael is an amazing and supportive guide who coached me through where to place my feet and hands and also giving me a boost in certain parts as I am very short. He also took amazing pictures and stopped to take pictures when requested. This is one of my fave accomplishments in Rio.				
Curiosity07345098387
2/14/2024
					Beautiful views and great hike! Jalmir was a great tour guide. He helped us as much as needed, took great pictures of us, and answered all of our questions. The hike was amazing and views were great. Was a great experience and would recommend for any nature lover!				
Priya S
1/08/2024
					Fantastic This is a fantastic hike! I did it with my 17-year old daughter. Jalmir was our guide and he was awesome. The hike is a great workout for 2+ hours but the views at the top are extraordinary. Definitely my favorite thing I’ve done in Rio so far.				
Tara O
12/26/2023

Schedule and Itinerary

7:00 AM – 7:30 AM:

Pickup from your hotel or Airbnb in Rio’s South Zone (or meet at Tijuca National Park at 7:30 AM).

8:00 AM:

Arrival at Tijuca National Park, where the hike begins. A brief orientation and safety instructions will be provided.

8:30 AM – 11:30 AM:

Start the challenging ascent to Pedra da Gavea, a 2–3 hour trek through the lush Atlantic Forest. Expect steep natural trails and rope-climbing sections near the summit. Spot native flora and fauna along the way.

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM:

Reach the summit and enjoy a well-deserved break. Take in the breathtaking 360-degree views of Rio’s iconic landmarks, including Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, and Two Brothers Mountain.

12:30 PM – 1:00 PM:

Rappel safely down the rocky section with guidance from your instructor.

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM:

Begin the descent back to the starting point, enjoying the forest surroundings.

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM:

Drop-off at your hotel or Airbnb.

What’s Included in Your Tour

Specialist guide (EN/ES/PT)

Individual climbing safety equipment (rope, harness, gloves)

Pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle (optional)

Entrance fee to Tijuca National Park

Food & drinks

Tipping (optional)

Detailed Overview

Experience Rio de Janeiro like never before with the Pedra da Gavea Hike, a challenging yet rewarding adventure to the summit of the world’s largest coastal monolith. Rising 844 meters (2,700 feet) above sea level, this hike offers unrivaled panoramic views of Rio’s iconic landmarks, white-sand beaches, and lush Atlantic Forest. Perfect for adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers, this unforgettable experience combines physical challenge, breathtaking scenery, and a true sense of accomplishment.

For Your Knowledge

Traveler’s Essentials

What to Bring

Daypack with essentials Light, breathable clothes suitable for hiking Hiking boots or sturdy sports shoes Raincoat or windbreaker 2 liters of water and light snacks (fruits, nuts, sandwiches) Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses Bug repellent Knee braces (if needed)

Preparation

Have a good night’s sleep (at least 7 hours) the night before. Eat a light breakfast to fuel your body for the hike

Recommendations

Bring a reusable water bottle to minimize waste. Take breaks during the hike to stay hydrated and energized. Capture the stunning views, but prioritize safety over perfect selfies!