What to carry on a hike
Everyone knows the generic list. What catches people out is each trail's detail: where the water ends, where it's cash only, where a rope is mandatory. Here's what the sources for each one ask for.
Water: where you can't count on it
- Pedra da Gávea: the Garganta do Céu waterfall is dry from May to August; carry about 2 L a person.
- Pico da Tijuca: the Bom Retiro fountain isn't drinkable and nobody sells water there.
- Pedra da Macela: the only water is the spring at the start.
- Saltos do Rio Preto: no food or drink is sold inside the park.
- Poço Azul: at least 2 L a person for the short visit, more for the full circuit.
- Pico dos Marins: the spring before Morro do Careca is the last water on the way.
On Pedra do Sino, Itaguaré, Pico Paraná and the Bonete trail there's water along the way, but from streams or springs: bring a filter or chlorine tablets.
Clothes and shoes
- Windbreaker: on Marins the wind never stops from Morro do Careca up; put it on before you leave the trees. On Gávea the summit is cold and windy.
- Closed shoes: on Anhangava, flip-flops and sandals are banned. At Vale da Lua, sneakers or water shoes for the rocks.
- Long trousers: on Dois Irmãos the brush up top scratches; on Pico Paraná, with a waterproof jacket and grippy boots.
- Towel and dry clothes: the Farofa pool is very cold.
Money, ID and bookings
- Cash or Pix: guide, pickup and some meals at Santa Bárbara; parking at Marins.
- Cash or card, no Pix: parking at Cachoeira dos Pretos.
- Photo ID: the Itacolomi ticket.
Mandatory gear
To climb Pico das Agulhas Negras by the Normal, Pontão or Bira routes you must carry a 30 m rope (8 mm), a sling or harness, 2 locking carabiners and a waste kit. Pedra do Baú needs a harness, carabiners, rope and helmet. On Pedra da Gávea, without a harness and rope, go with a guide for the Carrasqueira.
The rest the sources mention
- A headlamp if you start before dawn or come down after sunset.
- Trekking poles on Pedra do Sino: they help on the first climb and the 4-hour descent.
- Strong repellent for the Bonete blackflies and the insects at Cachoeira dos Pretos.
- The track downloaded to your phone first: Marins, Itaguaré, Anhangava and Bonete all fork.
- A rubbish bag: on almost every trail, everything you carry up comes down with you.
Example: the Pico dos Marins backpack, hour by hour
| 01:30 | Marins base (1,560 m). Headlamp on, water full, logbook signed. |
|---|---|
| ~02:30 | Spring, km 1.3: the last water. Fill everything. |
| ~02:40 | Morro do Careca, km 1.5: end of the forest. Windbreaker on before you leave the trees. |
| ~04:50 | Elevador, km 4.5: scrambling, hands on rock. Very slippery when wet. |
| ~06:00 | Summit (2,420 m). Warm layer on: cold and strong wind, hypothermia risk. |
Times estimated in proportion to each point's distance, with the 4h30 climb the sources give. The PDF plan has the backpack list for your trail, each item with why.
Emergency on the trail: 193 (fire brigade) or 192 (SAMU ambulance). Leave your trail and your expected return time with someone who isn't hiking.
The trails in this guide (pages in Portuguese): Pico dos Marins, Pedra da Gávea, Pico da Tijuca, Pedra da Macela, Agulhas Negras, Pedra do Sino, Poço Azul.