When people think of Rio de Janeiro, they think of its beautiful beaches, bossa nova, and the famous cultural landmark Christ The Redeemer. There’s no doubt those are all major draws as a destination, but Rio also has something else going for it: it’s the best city in the world for hiking.
According to a new study from Sports Shoes, the seaside Brazilian city scored the best of 180 cities across the globe for hiking. The study evaluated the total number of hiking trails, their popularity, and the average review of the tails, based on data from AllTrails.
Rio de Janeiro has 334 hiking trails, with an overall “hikability score” of 100. The hiking trails offer a bit of everything: beach views, waterfalls, and mountain treks. With state and national parks, rainforest and beachfront trails, you could spend an entire week in the city without running out of new hiking options to explore.
According to AllTrails, these are the five most popular and best reviewed trails in Rio de Janeiro:
1. Vila do Abraão: An 8.4 mile out and back trail that takes roughly five hours to complete. It ends at Lopes Mendes Beach, which is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Brazil.
2. Corcovado Trail: The 6.2 mile trail is popular year-round and includes top attractions like Parque Lage, and views of Christ the Redeemer.
3. Pedra da Gávea: This 4.6 mile trail is considered to be pretty challenging, with options for hiking and rock climbing up cliff faces.
4. Trilha T13: A 6.1 mile trail is open year-round and offers views of Ilha Grande and Restinga da Marambaia on clear days.
5. Pão de Açúcar e Morro da Urca: This short 2.2 mile hiking trail offers views of Sugarloaf Mountain, and it is short though there’s plenty of obstacles as well making it slightly challenging.
For anyone planning on taking a trip to Rio, make sure to save some energy for the night, as it is considered one of the best cities for nightlife, too. As one of the most beautiful cities in South America with unforgettable Carnival celebrations, you’ll want to make sure you pack your best hiking boots and your most stylish sandals.
