Parque Lage – Corcovado

Cristo Redentor

The famous statue of Christ on Corcovado mountain is a must see on any visitor’s list while in Rio.  A great way to avoid the tourist filled train that most people take up, is to take the trail that extends from Parque Lage in Jardim Botanico all the way up to the entrance of the statue.  The trail starts in a beautiful public park that used to be the private garden of the millionaire Henrique Lage.  It then continues through several well preserved sections of Atlantic Rain Forest, passing by various waterfalls along the first half of the accent.  As that the trail is almost completely covered until you reach the top, it is quite common to encounter wild monkeys and birds along the way.  The last stretch of the trail becomes quite steep before it lets out on to the train tracks where we continue for only another hundred meters or so.  Although you can expect large bands of tourists at the top, the 360 degree view of the city is unforgettable, and well worth it.  Plus you have the extra gratification of knowing you are probably the only one up there that had the strength to come up by foot.

Altitude: 704 m

Difficulty / Duration: medium-hard / 1/2 day

Features: Parque Lage, several waterfalls, steep accent through thick Atlantic Rain Forest, free entrance to Christ statue, 360 view of Rio