a nice gentle hike, just outside the city of rio de janeiro, is the climb up to the mirante do caeté -prainha, in one of the regions protected areas.

the trail starts at the prainha beach, which can be easily reached by car or public transport out of the city. once arrived at the golden sands of prainha, hikers are met by the lush forestry of  parque municipal ecológico da prainha, which hems the beach to the ocean.

part of the spectacular mata atlântica (atlantic forest), the park was created as a result of a movement by local residents and surfers, to protect the exotic flora and endangered species that reside within.