Already hiked Pedra da Gávea and looking for another equally (or more) challenging hike in Rio de Janeiro?
How about hiking Pedra da Gávea – again! That's right, there's a second trail up Pedra da Gávea – a secret way. Okay maybe not truly secret, but definitely lesser known. If you've ever heard of hiking Pedra da Gávea via Garganta do Céu or Pico dos Quatro, then this is the trail you heard about.
The best part? It's truly another trail; with the exception of the first bit of hiking, this trail is completely separate from the main trekking route – no “meeting up with the main trail” halfway up the mountain.
I know, I too was excited when I heard about this – so I went and did it.
- Location: Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro
- Summit elevation: 2,769 ft / 844 m
- Elevation change: 2,474 ft / 754 m
- Round-trip distance from trailhead: 3.2 mi / 5.2 km
- Round-trip time from trailhead*: 5 hours 30 minutes
- Difficulty: Strenuous
- Water on trail: Yes
*NOTE: The round-trip time listed above is based on my own experience. Please remember that your time may vary greatly.
What you have to look forward to.
GETTING TO PEDRA DA GÁVEA
- Accessible via public transportation: Yes(ish)
- Trailhead parking: Yes
- Trailhead coordinates: -23.002268, -43.295772
- Summit coordinates: -22.998183, -43.284498
To reach this route, begin as you would the main track up Pedra da Gávea.
However, this time when you reach the signs “Pedra da Gávea, left; Cachoeira (waterfall), right”, go right.
Don't tell me what to do, sign!
The “waterfall”.
You can either drop down to the creek and climb up the other side after crossing or continue a short way past the signs and cross the creek at the top of the waterfall (which really isn't much of a waterfall).
At this point I must advise you, if you “can't find the trail”, then this might not be a good route for you to take (especially if you're alone).
It only gets worse (or more exciting, depending on how you look at it).
A rough approximation of the two trails.
THE TRAIL
This route is by no means easy, and it should not be attempted unless you're comfortable following an overgrown and sometimes unmarked trail (but there is in fact a trail to follow).
Once you leave the waterfall, you'll begin to climb and you won't stop until you're about two-thirds up the mountain (one and a half to two hours of climbing).
By distance, this is the shorter of the two routes, but it's certainly more tiring (so it's not necessarily quicker).
Can you see the trail?
Not very maintained.
The trail appears to have been clearly marked at one point, but the arrows that once led hikers up the mountain have been blacked out (but you can still see them, so I suppose they are still guiding hikers up the mountain).
Should you find yourself feeling a bit lost, just look for one of these black splotches on a rock and make out which way the arrow is pointing (probably up).
After about two hours of uphill hiking you will emerge from the thicket encasing the trail and find yourself on the saddle between Pedra da Gávea and Pico dos Quatro.
Yes, that way.
The view from the saddle.
To your left is the trail up to Pedra da Gávea; to your right is the trail up Pico dos Quatro (where there is no view and nothing to see).
However, in front of you there is a trail down to Garganta do Céu.
Down!? Yes, down, but don't worry. It's very short and absolutely worth the elevation loss (I'm a stranger on the internet, you can trust me). Follow it down for a few dozen meters and you'll find yourself somewhere arguably more impressive than the summit: Garganta do Céu.
The trail down.
Garganta do Céu
Garganta do Céu – great views of São Conrado and Dois Irmãos.
Once you've had your fill of glory at the “Throat of the Sky” return to the saddle and follow the trail up towards Pedra da Gávea.
Approximate route up.
The trail here is quite steep and you will probably need to use your hands to help you up in some parts. After a bit of climbing you will come to the first of two rock faces you'll have to climb.
A rusty metal cable hangs down to assist the first climb, and I saw no way around using it to get up. In the process I managed to slice my arm and get a splinter of the cable stuck in my hand – gloves are recommended.
The second cable, a short way after the first, is less rusty, but you should still use caution when grabbing it (I'm warning you, little metal splinters are not fun to dig out of your hands).
The first (rusty) cable.
The second (slightly less rusty) cable.
When you get to the top of the second climb you have one more short hike up, over, and past another rock face (this one can be easily crossed laterally).
THE SUMMIT
You come up onto the summit from the south, and the typical “take photos and sit here” area will be to your right (this is where the views of São Conrado and Zona Sul are).
North of you there is another bit of rock even higher than where you are when you first arrive on top. It's worth heading over there as well.
The view to the east.
Looking west from where you arrive on top.
The trip to the northern side of the summit requires that you descend a small section of rock via a chain and then climb up a (usually) wet section, but it's nothing as wild as what you just came up.
When you make it to the other side, it is also possible to get up onto the highest rock, but it will require a small jump and some faith in your shoes' grip strength.
The highest point of the summit.
Looking south from the summit's highest point.
When you're ready to head back down, I would suggest descending via the main route.
Getting back down the cables (the way you came up) is doable, but the rocks were slippery when I climbed and I didn't feel confident enough in my grip to make it safely back down.
You can find the main route down via the western edge of the summit – the trails crisscrossing the top will lead you to it.
Somewhere around there.
MAP OF PEDRA DA GÁVEA
My GPS recorded the following route up Pedra da Gávea. The main track is further north, the Garganta do Céu alternate is further south.
I have no guarantee that this route is correct, nor that it can be accurately relied upon for navigation. It should serve only as a general guideline for what the trail is expected to look like.
CONCLUSION
The main track up Pedra da Gávea was my favorite hike in Rio de Janeiro when I heard about this alternate.
After having done it, I can tell you that I've changed my mind – this route is now officially my favorite hike in Rio.
Have any questions about hiking Pedra da Gávea? Want another post about another one of Brazil's hikes? Have a suggestion to improve this information?
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