12 Forest Hikes in Brazil Worth Lacing Up For

1.Rio: Tijuca Forest Small Group Hike to Caves and Waterfalls

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 536 reviews · 6 hours · from $69Our pick

Spend six hours exploring Tijuca Forest with guides such as Vini, Riccardo, Tito, and Renata. The 6.2-kilometer hike visits Taunay Waterfall, a 19th-century chapel, coffee farm ruins, a suspension bridge, Bat Cave, and Baronesa Cascade.

“Such a great day!! A beautiful hike with lots of stops and things to see. Guide was amazing, so informative and friendly. She 100% made this tour worth it. Only feedback would be that the transport was a bit cramped (especially for men who are a bit taller) but it’s not a deal breaker as the transfer is short.”

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2.Tijuca Forest Challenge Hike Full-Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 163 reviews · 9 hours · from $86

Spend nine hours exploring Tijuca Forest on a demanding 10.4 km hike with guides such as Gustavo, Ricardo, Pietro, or Tito. Reach Taquara Hill, visit Cascatinha Taunay, old coffee-farm ruins, caves, and a waterfall, with pickup from Rio’s South Zone.

“Gustavo turned out to be the best guide one could possibly imagine. We have used similar services many times before, but I can say with full confidence that Gustavo is truly unmatched. He has extensive knowledge not only about Tijuca National Park, but also about the whole of Rio de Janeiro. At the same time, he is incredibly helpful, kind, and approachable. During our hike, he revealed many secrets of the forest that we would never have noticed on our own. We also learned a great deal about the history of Rio and Brazil itself. It was an unforgettable adventure that we will cherish for a long time. I wholeheartedly…”

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3.Tijuca Forest Hike – Waterfalls & Caves, Nature & Wild Life!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 51 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $69Top rated

Spend about 4.5 hours hiking 5.5 miles through Tijuca National Park. Visit Taunay and several smaller waterfalls, Capela Mayrink, historic Floresta restaurant, and three safe caves. Guides such as Alli, Lucas, Sergio, and Juliana add nature knowledge, history, and helpful photography.

“We had a great time hiking through the forest with our guide alli. She was great and pointed out all of the animals and plants to see along the way. The hike was super informative about the history of tijuca park, the animals that live there and the insects. My daughter was super excited for this hike and alli delivered. Alli was also great at helping us to get great pictures for socials. Thanks very much for an amazing hike.”

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4.Hiking and Rappelling at Tijuca Forest

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 44 reviews · from $59

Spend eight hours hiking Tijuca National Park with a bilingual guide, passing forest trails, the park museum, and Cachoeira das Almas before reaching Bico do Papagaio. At the summit, use certified gear for a rappel and take in views toward Pedra da Gávea, Corcovado, and Cristo Redentor.

“I had a great time at the hike. The views were incredible and the rappelling was a lot of fun! The hike itself is not easy, I’d highly recommend it if you are in good to decent shape. Lots of uphill climbing. Aside from that, it’s awesome to be able to hike through the forest. Ask your guide about the indigenous trail for an extra challenge!”

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5.Tijuca Forest Waterfall of Souls Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 24 reviews · 3h 30m · from $60

Join Kelly or another Rio Encantos guide for a three-and-a-half-hour Tijuca Forest walk with breathing exercises, wildlife spotting, Cascata Taunay views, waterfall bathing, Afro-indigenous nature traditions, Mayrink Chapel, and a garden lake. Small groups speak English, Spanish, or Portuguese.

“brilliant Tour, I'll advise that everyone reading this goes right ahead and books!”

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6.São Paulo: Atlantic Forest Hike in Jaraguá Park with Picnic

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 23 reviews · 5 hours · from $212

Leave São Paulo for a 5-hour private hike in Jaraguá State Park. Your bilingual guide, such as Luiz, Denis, Rafael, or Raffael, leads you through Atlantic Forest trails, wildlife lookout points, and a 242-step climb to the city’s highest point. Pickup, entry, and a picnic are included.

“Nice and very beautiful hiking route. Rafael was a great guide and we were able to discuss a lot of interesting topics during the hike.”

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7.Ilha Grande: Private Hiking with Forest, Beaches & Waterfall

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 22 reviews · 5 - 8 hours · from $269

Join a private guide from Vila do Abraão for a 12-kilometer hike through Atlantic Forest, past Praia Preta, the Lazareto ruins, and the old aqueduct to Feiticeira Waterfall and the beaches of Camiranga, Perequê, and Fora. Guides speak English, Portuguese, or Spanish.

“Wonderful to hear — we’re glad you loved the hike! 🌴”

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8.São Paulo: Cantareira Natural Park Guided Rainforest Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 19 reviews · 8 hours · from $83

Spend eight hours exploring Cantareira Natural Park with a bilingual guide such as Mauricio. Cross the Engordador River, swim at two waterfalls, visit the old dam, and hike about 8 km to Pedra Grande, a superb São Paulo viewpoint.

“very good trip, super super informative and very interesting. the hike might be a little challenging (bring appropriate hiking shoes!!) but it is very worth it!”

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9.Tijuca Forest´s hike: caves, waterfalls and great views

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 4 hours · from $40Best value

Meet Lucas or another bilingual guide at Praça Afonso Viseu for a four-hour walk through Tijuca Forest. See Taunay Waterfall, caves, ruins, Cachoeira das Almas, forest streams, and historic sites. The pace is adjusted to the group, with time to swim and rest.

“The hike was excellent and Lucas took such a great care of us! Highly recommend Lucas for a day trip to the forest!”

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10.Bico do Papagaio Guided Hiking Tour in the Tijuca Forest

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 7 reviews · from $59

Spend up to eight hours with a bilingual guide on the Bico do Papagaio trail in Tijuca National Park. You’ll reach the 989-meter Tooth Stone, visit the park museum, watch for monkeys and toucans, and cool off beneath Cachoeira das Almas. Hotel pickup is optional.

“It was great! Hiking wasn’t too long and views was awesome at the top of the rock. A big suggestion for people who wants to get adrenaline and see beautiful nature!”

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11.Paraty: Gold Trail Rainforest Hiking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 7 reviews · 3 hours · from $75

Walk 3.6 km of Paraty’s Gold Trail with an English- or Portuguese-speaking guide, learning about gold diggers, enslaved workers, rainforest plants, and animals. The three-hour tour uses regular buses and may end at Tobogã Waterfall and Engenho do D’Ouro distillery.

“It was an amazing experience, our guide Gregorio is an excellent guide with so much knowledge about the history, vegetation and animals of this region. We learned a lot and had a really good time. He was also very patient with us taking a lot of pictures and looking at every plant. The waterfall at the end of the hike was a special highlight. We strongly recommend this tour!”

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12.Pedra Bonita & Tijuca Forest Hike Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $110

Spend four hours hiking Pedra Bonita and Agulhinha da Gávea in Tijuca National Park with a bilingual guide. You’ll visit Rio’s hang-gliding ramp, see Pedra da Gávea between Barra da Tijuca and São Conrado, and receive hotel pickup when selecting the transfer option.

“The guide was fantastic, made the whole experience a day to remember”

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