among the waterfalls,  a local landmark is the impressive 100-foot cascatinha taunay waterfall, named after the French painter, while among the ponds, the the lagoa das fadas (Lake of the fairies) wins in popularity.

set on the sight of a former dammed pond and the aptly named Açude da Solidão (dam of solitude), this pond is a gem of beauty and tranquility.

particularly famous is the pico da tijuca, which, at an altitude of 1,022 meters is the highest point in the park, and offers some of the most spectacular 360-degree views of rio de janeiro.