A flat seaside path at the foot of the Sugarloaf with marmosets in the trees, a short forest climb to the first cable-car station for free, and then the ride up to the top of the Pão de Açúcar for sunset over the whole bay.
The Sugarloaf cable car, running since 1912, climbs in two stages: first to Morro da Urca, then to the summit of the Pão de Açúcar. You can walk the first stage.
The walk starts at Praia Vermelha on the Pista Cláudio Coutinho, a flat, paved path along the foot of the Sugarloaf, with marmosets in the trees, lizards on the rocks and the sea on your left. Halfway along, a signed trail climbs 30–40 minutes through forest to Morro da Urca, the first cable-car station at 220 metres, at no charge.
Buy a one-way ticket there for the ride up to the 396-metre summit of the Sugarloaf, and ride the whole way down. Late afternoon is best for the sunset from the top, when Corcovado and the city lights come up together. The path closes at 6pm.
Start around 3pm for a sunset finish on the Sugarloaf.
From the square by the cable-car station, walk to the left end of the beach to the start of the path.
Stroll the paved path along the rocks under the Sugarloaf's cliff, with fishermen and joggers.
Take the signed trail climbing to the right, steep in places, through the trees.
Emerge at the cable-car platform with views over Botafogo bay and Corcovado. Buy your onward ticket.
Ride the cable car up to the Pão de Açúcar for sunset, then ride both stages down to Praia Vermelha.
Buy a one-way ticket at Morro da Urca for the Sugarloaf stage; the ride down to Praia Vermelha is included on the way back.
Bus or taxi to Praia Vermelha in Urca, about 15 minutes from Copacabana.
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