Sunset hikes
Four hikes in our catalogue are known for the sunset. Not all of them let you stay for it: at some, the park shuts its gate before dark. Here's where you can.
You can stay: Morro Dois Irmãos, Rio
No gate and no official hours. Sources suggest starting between 14:00 and 15:00 to catch the sunset and avoid the midday sun. It's about 3 km round trip and some 40 minutes up from the Vila Olímpica football field in Vidigal, with a community visitation fee of about R$ 10. You'll come down after dark: bring a headlamp, and agree the time and your ride back at the field.
Example: a late afternoon on Dois Irmãos, hour by hour
| 14:30 | Vila Olímpica football field. Fee paid. |
|---|---|
| 14:40 | Start up, in long trousers (the brush up top scratches). |
| ~15:20 | The top, about 40 min later. Water, sunscreen and a snack: there's little shade up there. |
| sunset | Your day's exact time comes in the preview. |
| after | Down by headlamp to the field, where you arranged your ride back. |
An example with the times the sources suggest and the climb of about 40 min.
See my late afternoon on Dois IrmãosCheck first: Pedra Grande, Atibaia
Visiting hours are 8:00 to 18:00 (2016 information). On a day when the sun sets after 18:00, that doesn't work. About 2 h of steep climbing. Check the current hours first.
See my day on Pedra GrandeThe park closes first: Pedra Bonita and Rola-Moça
Pedra Bonita (Rio): the trail can only be started until 16:00 and entry runs until 17:00 (18:00 in summer time). You'll get the late-afternoon light, but check with the park whether you can stay until the sun goes down.
Serra do Rola-Moça (BH): daytime visits only, 8:00 to 17:00. The Jardim Canadá gate closes at 17:00 Monday to Friday, 19:00 on Saturday and 18:00 on Sunday.
See my day on Pedra BonitaThe free preview shows sunset time on the day you pick and the latest time to start down.
Sources: Tijuca National Park, IEF-MG, SEMIL-SP (2016) and 2024 Rio guides.
The trails in this guide (pages in Portuguese): Morro Dois Irmãos, Pedra Grande, Pedra Bonita, Serra do Rola-Moça.