an environmental protection area, east of avenida princesa isabel, hosts a wide range of wildlife on morro do leme and spans over 11 hectares of atlantic forest. rare birds, such as saddles and bishop tanagers, can be found there as well as thrushes and the brazilian house wren. visitors can walk up a specially designed trail with some breathtaking views along the way.

the gentle hike starts at the bottom of the hill -there is a military fort atop of morro do leme so the presence of soldiers in the area is no rarity - the fort is called forte duque de caxias, not to be confused with nearby forte de copacabana.