The great granite block above São Conrado, rising 844 metres straight from the sea: two hours of forest steps, a 30-metre exposed rock slab climbed with a rope, and a summit the size of a football pitch with all of Rio at your feet.
Pedra da Gávea is one of the largest coastal monoliths in the world, a flat-topped dome whose weathered side some see as a bearded face. Legends of Phoenician inscriptions have clung to it for centuries.
The route starts with about two hours of steep forest steps through the Atlantic rainforest of Tijuca National Park, then reaches the Carrasqueira: a 30-metre exposed rock slab climbed on holds with a rope, the crux of the day. Above it, a long open ridge leads to a summit plateau about the size of a football pitch.
The view covers Barra da Tijuca's beaches, the whole Zona Sul, Corcovado and the Sugarloaf, with hang-gliders drifting off Pedra Bonita next door. Go with a guide for the Carrasqueira, and only in dry weather. Trailhead in Barrinha, São Conrado.
Start at the 8am opening and be off the rock before afternoon clouds.
Register at the park post at the end of the road above São Conrado and start up the forest trail.
Steep, rooty steps through Atlantic forest, with a few viewpoints back over Barra and the sea.
A 30-metre exposed slab climbed on natural holds; guides fix a rope and belay where needed.
Walk the open ridge to the broad summit, with its views over the city and the coast. Stay away from the edges.
Down-climb the Carrasqueira roped, then the long forest descent to Barrinha.
Hire a guide who carries a rope and harness for the Carrasqueira; many offer the climb as a small-group day trip from Zona Sul hotels.
Take a ride-hail or taxi to the trailhead in Barrinha; there's limited parking at the end of the road.
Start early, go in a group, leave valuables at the hotel, and follow park rules on opening hours.
Rio practical notes →Wikimedia Commons photographs are used under their licences.
