irmão maior (bigger brother) can be seen clearly before hikers reach the peak, as the foliage clears and the panoramas slowly begin to make themselves known. when hikers reach the first patch of rock, they are no more than half an hour from the summit. it is here where the views are nothing short of breathtaking at 533m / 1750ft of altitude.

sweeping shots of pedra da gávea, pedra bonita, and são conrado can be seen when spectators look over their shoulder, before cristo redentor rises from corcovado mountain. when the clouds are hovering low in the sky this particular viewpoint is stunning, as avenida niemeyer, leblon beach, and irmão menor (little brother) can be seen shimmering in the sunlight - the entire stretch of leblon is truly an impressive sight to behold - the people sunbathing below appear nothing more than tiny dots in the distance.