Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Parque Nacional da Tijuca
This stunning national park contains the lush Floresta da Tijuca (Tijuca
Forest), one of the world's largest urban forests, which carpets the hills and
coastal mountains that cut through the center of the city. It also features the
dramatic Serra de Carioca (Carioca Mountains), the awe-inspiring monolith
of Pedra de Gávea, and the Cristo Redentor statue, which looms over the city
from the top of Corcovado
(see pp8-9)
. Home to countless species of plants,
birds, and mammals, as well as waterfalls and natural springs, this peaceful
forest, which covers 15 sq miles (39 sq km), is a little piece of paradise.
Top 10 Features
1 Os Esquilos
2 Trails and Walks
3 Cascatinha do Taunay
4 Pedra da Gávea
5 Hang Gliding
6 Wildlife
7 The Mayrink Chapel
8 Park Roads
9 Mirante Dona Marta
0 Mirante Andaime
Pequeno
Os Esquilos restaurant
Do not visit the park
after dark when
muggings and
car-jackings are
common. It is best
to come on a tour.
Bring bottled water
and a snack. There
are very few res-
taurants in the park.
!
Os Esquilos
A favorite lunch spot
on Sundays for wealthy
Cariocas
,
Os Esquilos or
“Squirrels” restaurant, is
romantically situated under
the shade of trees in the
heart of this park.
• Visitors' Center:
Map D4; Praça
Afonso Viseu, Tijuca:
(021) 2492 2253;
open 8am-7pm daily
• Os Esquilos:
Estrada Barão
D'Escragnole, Alto da
Boa Vista, Tijuca;
(021) 2492 7843
• For tours with Rio
Hiking visit www.
riohiking.com.br
@
Trails and Walks
A multitude of trails
(right)
cut through Floresta
da Tijuca. The lengths of
these walks can vary
greatly. There are full-day
hikes to the park's highest
points, at Pedra da Gávea
and Pico da Tijuca.
£
Cascatinha
do Taunay
The most accessible of the
numerous waterfalls that lie
in Floresta da Tijuca can be
found just off the road a
few miles from the Alto da
Boa Vista park gate
(left)
.
Its spectacular cascades
plummet from a height of
100 ft (30 m).
10
