alto mourăo is at the southern tip of serra de tiririca state park, along the western border of niterói. its summit, pedra do elefante, is the highest point in the city of niterói at 412 meters or 1,352 feet. pedra do elefante was also known as the 'false sugar loaf', as it often confused sailors coming into the bay in low lighting or for the first time.
many people make the journey to the top in order to admire the spectacular view of guanabara bay, sugarloaf, corcovado, and the pedra da gávea across the water, the mountains of tiririca to the north, and the vast expanse of Itaipú beach to the east.
