one of the oldest and best hiking trails, in rio de janeiro, is the pico da tijuca trail, in the tijuca rainforest. the climb takes visitors up to the tijuca peak, which, with an altitude of 1022 meters, is the highest point in the rainforest, and the second highest in rio.

the trail begins in the middle of the tijuca forest, at the bom do retiro, which takes about 45 minutes to drive to from rio's south zone. at the bom do retiro there is a large opening with tables, benches, a grill and a playground, if hikers want to relax and build some energy before the journey.