Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
A Climb Up
Morro da Urca and
the Sugar Loaf
The sides of the twin
boulder mountains of
Morro da Urca
and the
Sugar Loaf
(see pp12-13)
look impossibly steep.
But there is an easy path
leading to the summit
of Urca and a more
challenging trail to the
top of the
Sugar Loaf.
The trail to the top of Urca
is known as the
Pista
Cláudio Coutinho
walking
track. This is guarded by a
small gateway which is
opened between 7am and
8am every morning. Look
for the signpost diagonally
opposite the cable-car
station in Urca. The trail
starts steeply but then
flattens out and winds
around the base of the
Sugar Loaf,
right next to
the indigo water of
Guanabara Bay. It then
dips to cut across little
beaches and climbs to
offer tantalizing views.
The path soon begins to
climb more steeply,
cutting through scrubby
rain forest around the base
of
Morro da Urca
. And
before long it becomes
possible to see right
across Guanabara Bay
to the city center. The
summit of Urca takes
about an hour to reach
from here. Bring plenty
of water, a camera, sun
protection, and a hat.
Cool off beneath the trees
or in the cafés at the
top of
Morro da Urca
.
The path up the
Sugar
Loaf
is more difficult to
access, and some
stretches must be
climbed. It is possible to
climb the mountain with
a tour company like
Rio
Hiking
(see p52).
It usually
takes around two hours
to reach the summit.
Casa de Rui Barbosa
(
Pista Cláudio Coutinho
This walking track snakes
its way around the base of
the Sugar Loaf and Morro da
Urca, and then up to the top of
Morro da Urca. The views are
wonderful throughout. The trail
cuts through woodland filled
with tiny, tufted-eared marmo-
sets and brilliantly colored
tanagers, and dips onto the
Praia de Fora beach. Walks are
coolest in the early morning and
the trail is one of the safest in
urban Rio because of the huge
army presence in Urca.
d
Map J4
• Open 6am-6pm daily
)
Casa de Rui Barbosa
Rui Barbosa was one of the
most influential politicians in the
early years of the republic. His
former home, one of many
stately 19th-century town
houses to have been preserved
in Botafogo, is now a museum.
On weekends, there are often
concerts of classical music in
the main hall and the gardens
are an oasis of peace and quiet
at any time.
d
Map Q1 • Rua Sao
Clemente 134, Botafogo • (021) 3289
4600 • Open 10am-5pm Tue-Fri, 2-6pm
Sat-Sun and hols • Adm • www.
casaruibarbosa.gov.br
69
