Climb to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain

Climb to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain

Climbing Sugarloaf, rather than taking the cable car up, is one of the most rewarding things you can do while in town. You can experience one of a kind rock climbing adventure, while also visiting one of the most famous tourist attractions in town. It is common for us to hear that it was the highlight of the trip.

Our international team of guides come from varied backgrounds and are some of the most experienced and best reviewed guides in the city. We have over 15 years of experience guiding clients from all of the world and while safety and professionalism are always our priority, we also make a point of creating a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. We enjoy getting to know people and sharing our experience of living in Rio. Often times our conversation strays from the typical topics of local history or geography, into more complex subjects like politics and culture. We want people to get an idea of the complexities of this amazing city, while also enjoying a great climb.

Itinerary

The hike starts at the foot of Sugarloaf and then swings around the backside of the mountain to begin a steep yet technically simple ascent up a well-traveled trail that offers both great views and the exciting feeling of exposure that comes with rock climbing. These first few hundred meters involve some sections of unroped scrambling that can be challenging for people with a serious fear of heights, but that are safe and your guide will help talk you through. About half way up the mountain there is a short 15 meter pitch of more technical climbing, that although is not considered difficult, does require the use of a rope and safety harness. This is a great chance for those interested in learning more about rock climbing to get a feel for the sport without having to commit to anything too extreme.

We will then pack up our equipment and continue our push to the summit. Along the way we will stop to enjoy several views only available to those that climb, such as the famous “Philosopher’s Stone”. The summit is also stunning and offers great options for food and drinks. To get down, we take the cable car down to Morro da Urca and then a 15 minute trail to our initial starting point.

Stop At:

• Sugarloaf Mountain, Av. Pasteur, 520 - Urca, Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro 22290-255 Brazil