Brazil is a country of continental proportions and eye-popping natural beauty, making it a top destination for outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers.
Almost a fifth of Brazil’s vast landmass is preserved within conservation areas, including 73 national parks and a multitude of state parks, in addition to numerous private nature reserves. Therefore, this region offers some of the most epic hiking terrains on the planet.
The diverse conservation areas provide a splendid tapestry of landscapes, interlaced with trails that wind through mountains, forests, canyons, rivers, waterfalls, savannas, and thousands of miles of beautiful beaches. No matter which adventure you choose, the stunning scenery will enhance your outdoor experience.
Here are some of Brazil’s best hiking trails.
Vista Chinesa Hike, Tijuca Forest
Best City Hike
1.8 miles one way, 2 hours, moderate
Experience the lush woodlands that envelop the striking topography around Rio de Janeiro. Venture out from the Cidade Maravilhosa to find mountainous terrain, including the iconic Corcovado, which hosts the famous statue of Christ the Redeemer.
The surrounding Tijuca Forest offers trails suitable for adventurers of all fitness levels. You can challenge yourself with the climb to Corcovado or the steep ascent to the summit of 3320 ft Pico da Tijuca, the highest point in the forest. Alternatively, enjoy a gentler walk starting at the less-known Parque da Cidade in Gávea, leading to Vista Chinesa, a beautiful lookout offering stunning sea views.
Gruta do Janelão Trail, Parque Nacional Peruaçu
Best Off-the-Beaten-Track Hike
2.9 miles round trip, 5.5 hours, moderate
Parque Nacional Peruaçu is relatively undiscovered by many travelers and opened to the public only in 2014. The park, covering 216 square miles, is teeming with natural and historical wonders, including 140 caves and 80 archaeological sites accessible via seven trails. The Gruta do Janelão (“Big Window Cave”) trail showcases ancient rock paintings, crosses the Peruaçu river, and navigates through impressive caverns.
The largest cave reaches 328 ft high, surpassing the height of the Statue of Liberty. Inside, you will find the world’s largest stalactite, the 92-ft Perna da Bailarina (“Ballerina’s Leg”). Consequently, shafts of sunlight illuminate the cave, painting it with striking hues of blue and green, a stark contrast to the typical dark cave interior. Visitors must enter the park with a local guide who can facilitate arrangements through online booking at least three days prior.
Trilha do Boi, Parque Nacional de Aparados da Serra
Best Hike for the Physical Challenge
8.6 miles round trip, 7 hours, difficult
Nestled along the borders of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina states in southern Brazil, the Parque Nacional de Aparados da Serra is home to Brazil’s largest canyon, Itaimbezinho. Dramatic cliffs bordering the 19,028 ft-long gorge reach heights of 2362 ft, offering exhilarating terrain for skilled hikers.
The park’s Trilha do Boi is the most demanding hike, as it follows the river at the canyon’s base, requiring clambering over boulders and frequent water crossings—be prepared to get wet and pack accordingly. The other trails are shorter, easier paths that provide beautiful views of cascading waterfalls into the canyon depths. Note that passage along Trilha do Boi requires arrangements with a local guide or an accredited agency.
Vale do Pati, Chapada Diamantina
Best Hike for a Digital Detox
37.5 miles one way, 7 days, moderate
The Chapada Diamantina is one of Brazil’s three stunning plateaus, covering 587 square miles of national park that attracts hikers time and again to explore its extensive trails. The Vale do Pati region is particularly stunning, boasting deep valleys between flat-topped mountains.
While short day hikes can be arranged to swim in waterfalls cascading from nearly 1000 ft, to experience the region fully, consider a weeklong trek along rivers and through wildflower-filled fields. Please note that phone signals are non-existent along the way, but travelers can enjoy creature comforts provided by local families who host hikers for overnight stays with delicious, locally sourced meals.
Monte Roraima
Best Hike for Bragging Rights
53 miles round trip, 6 days, difficult
A vertical cliff face soars 1312 ft, separating the sweeping Amazonian savanna from the lunar landscape of Monte Roraima, the iconic table-top mountain that inspired Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic novel, The Lost World. A three-day trek through savanna, followed by a half-day scramble to the summit, leads explorers to a unique ecosystem that has developed in isolation from the typical surroundings.
Here, hikers can discover valleys filled with crystals, precarious rock columns, and carnivorous plants unique to this region. On clear days, breathtaking views over Guyana, Brazil, and Venezuela become visible, as the mountain marks the junction of the three countries. This adventure must be organized through a local tour operator: Roraima Adventures on the Brazilian side is a trusted option, while Eco Aventuras Tours is the best guide on the Venezuelan side.
Portais de Hércules, Parque Nacional Serra dos Órgãos
Best Hike for Mountain Scenery
12.5 miles round trip, 2 days, difficult
This spectacular trail, known as Hercules’ Portals, located in Parque Nacional Serra dos Órgãos, gains its name from a cliff along the route that resembles the face of Hercules. Most hikers choose to split this strenuous trek into two days to camp overnight. A highlight of the journey is a lookout offering a stunning 360-degree view of this ancient mountain range, just a couple of hours from Rio de Janeiro.
For an even more challenging experience, consider the three-day, 26-mile hike across the park from Petrópolis to Teresópolis. After the trek, recover in the charming town of Petrópolis, once the summer retreat of the imperial family. Prior arrangements for park access must be made through the park website.
Casa de Pedra Trail, Parque Estadual do Alto do Ribeira (PETAR)
Best Hike for Exploring Caves
6 miles round trip, 4 hours, easy
Parque Estadual do Alto do Ribeira (PETAR) is often hailed as the “cave capital of Brazil,” boasting over 400 cataloged caves, including the renowned Gruta Casa de Pedra (House of Stone Cave), which features one of the largest cave entrances worldwide, soaring to 708 ft. The Casa de Pedra trail provides a leisurely hike to the cave entrance through the Atlantic Forest, an incredibly rich and threatened biome.
While trekking, keep an eye out for towering native hardwoods like brazilwood and rosewood. Shorter hikes lead into the caves themselves—the atmospheric Santana cave is filled with wavy calcite formations that resemble curtains. Be mindful that some trails may require advance booking via local tour operators.
Sensorial Trail, Parque Ecológico Imigrantes
Best Accessible Hike
650 feet round trip, 1 hour, easy
Situated just an hour’s drive from São Paulo, the Parque Ecológico Imigrantes is a nature reserve encompassing 193 square miles of Atlantic Forest, which opened its doors in 2018. Designed for school groups and urban dwellers (getting muddy is optional), the hiking trails vary in length, needing prior booking.
A quarter-mile of elevated walkways made from recycled materials rises to the tree canopy, creating a sensation of floating among the treetops. The Sensorial Trail spans only 650 ft but is fully wheelchair accessible, complete with signs in braille. Access must be booked in advance online.
Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro
Best Island Hike
51 miles, 7 days, moderate
It’s astonishing to think that the palm-fringed beaches and untouched forests of this tropical island were once home to both a leper colony and a high-security prison. Nowadays, Ilha Grande attracts holidaymakers and backpackers, where state parkland protects a network of trails just steps from the ocean.
A complete circumscription of the island may take up to seven days, meandering through beaches and forests, although shorter hikes are readily available. Noteworthy highlights include a refreshing swim in the Feiticeira waterfall and the historic late 19th-century Lazareto Aqueduct, a colonial structure gracefully consumed by the forest.
Pedra do Baú, Serra da Mantiqueira
Best Hike for Thrill-Seekers
2.5 miles round trip, 2 hours, difficult
The cacophony and bustle of São Paulo, South America’s largest city, sends its residents fleeing to the mountains on weekends for a breath of fresh air. The Mantiqueira Mountains are a favored destination for this escape. Spanning nearly 200 miles, the range is marked by granite peaks enticing adventurous climbers.
One such challenge is the Pedra do Baú, impressive for its thrilling ascent—a 985-ft climb up a via ferrata route, featuring 600 metal rungs affixed to the sheer rock face. Visitors can arrange their climb online, while equipment can be sourced from Bau Ecoturismo or Armazém Aventura, where safety harnesses are essential. The reward is a magnificent view overlooking the valleys sprawling below.
Vale da Lua Trail, Goiás
Best Hike for UFO Spotters
0.7 miles round trip, 1 hour, difficult
The highlands of Brazil’s central west exude an intriguing allure, attracting mystics and seekers of the unknown, including UFO enthusiasts. The region’s unique energy originates from its quartzite bedrock, which has shaped the remarkable landscape at the Vale da Lua (Moon Valley) trail. Here, stunning rock formations and tunnels etched by the São Miguel River reveal millions of years’ worth of geological history.
The trail covering just over half a mile requires climbing over rocks, leading to a refreshing natural pool at the journey’s end. Located six miles from São Jorge, a quaint town near the entrance of the Chapada dos Veadeiros, a 251-square-mile national park in pristine Cerrado biome, access to the trail is charged at R$20.
Pico da Bandeira, Serra da Caparaó
Best Hike to Watch the Sunrise
6.2 miles round trip, 7 hours, moderate
The small coastal state of Espirito Santo is often overlooked by visitors to Brazil, nestled between attention-grabbing Bahia and Rio de Janeiro. However, the state compensates for its small size with breathtaking natural beauty, particularly in the Caparaó Mountains.
At Pico da Bandeira, the third-highest peak in Brazil, early risers can reach the summit just in time for sunrise, as campsites in the national park surround the area. Adventurers often break camp at 2 am to conquer the last ascent before dawn illuminates the horizon, revealing a sea of clouds. Visitors are required to book park entry online (form available in Portuguese).
