Pico dos Marins in November
From April to August Marins is dry with clear skies. From November to March come the afternoon storms. You can go in November, with one rule: climb before dawn and be down before midday.
Getting there
Take the Dutra to Lorena, BR-459 to Piquete and the dirt road to Bairro dos Marins; the last stretch is steep. Parking is at the base itself (Refúgio Marins, 1,560 m), about R$ 20 a day if you aren't staying, cash or Pix. Without a car: bus to Lorena or Piquete, then a taxi or a pre-booked transfer; no bus goes to the trailhead.
The way up
- Spring, km 1.3: the last water. Ask at the base whether it's running.
- Morro do Careca, km 1.5, 1,800 m: end of the forest, start of the slabs. Strong wind from here up: put the windbreaker on before you leave the trees.
- Elevador, km 4.5, 2,250 m: scrambling, hands on rock. Very slippery when wet.
On the slabs the trail forks and the markings vanish in fog. Download the track on Wikiloc first and follow the stone cairns. If fog closes in, wait for it to lift or go back the way you came; don't look for a shortcut. A guide isn't required, but the first time go with someone who knows it.
Why November needs care
In January 2022, 32 people got lost on Marins in rain and wind and the fire brigade had to bring them down. In June 2025 a 57-year-old hiker was rescued after collapsing on the way up. The summit is cold and very windy, with a hypothermia risk. Phone signal is weak or absent for most of the way.
Example: a November Saturday, hour by hour
| Fri 21:30 | Leave São Paulo. About 3h30 by road. |
|---|---|
| ~01:00 | Marins base. Parking and logbook. |
| 01:30 | Start, by headlamp (sunrise groups set off between 1 and 3 am). |
| ~02:40 | Morro do Careca. Windbreaker on. |
| ~04:50 | Elevador. |
| ~06:00 | Summit, 2,420 m. |
| 06:30 | Start down, about 3h30. |
| ~10:00 | Base, before midday. Sign the logbook on the way back. |
An example with the times the sources give; the times at each point are estimated by distance. Sunrise time and the summit forecast come with your day.
If Saturday's forecast shows an early storm, the preview says SKIP IT and shows the other days of the week and other trails from São Paulo.
Sources: Mochileiros, Wikiloc, SummitPost, PeakVisor, Band and the São Paulo state assembly; parking price from 2017 to 2022 reports, check at the base. Nearest hospital: Santa Casa de Lorena.
The trail page (in Portuguese): Pico dos Marins. In the same range: Pico do Itaguaré.