PARQUE NACIONAL DA TIJUCA - SERRA DA CARIOCA

Emperor Pedro II was undoubtedly one of the precursors of modern ecology or ecological engineering. The original forest site had been almost completely cleared to make way for a coffee plantation. Aware of the environmental degradation (loss of the original fauna and flora, sterilization of the soil), he worked to restore the site ecologically. The Serra da Carioca is one of the three main sectors of the Tijuca National Park, which forms the boundary of what is the world's largest urban forest. The other two sectors are the Floresta da Tijuca, to the north-west, and the Pedra da Gavea and Pedra Bonita sectors, to the west, adjacent to the São Conrado district.

The Serra da Carioca is in the heart of the city and can be reached quickly. Beware, however, of the forest's size (3,300 ha) and if you decide to walk there off the beaten track, go with a guide. The proximity of the favelas can be dangerous.

From Parque Lage, at the foot of Morro del Corcovado, you can even walk up to Corcovado through the forest with a guide, as this is also dangerous. It will take you around 3 hours.

Via the Botanical Gardens and continuing up Pacheco Leão Street. On the way up, you pass the cascade dos Macacos, where some people bathe and others practice the macumba. Higher up, you come to the forest's two main lookouts, including the Emperor's Table, where the Emperor used to picnic with members of the court to escape the stifling heat of the city: indeed, in the forest, it's always around 5°C cooler than on the seaside.

Vista Chinesa (Chinese view), a promontory from which you can take a superb photo of Corcovado, Sugar Loaf, the entire Zona Sul and, in the distance, the north coast and the beaches of Niteroi. It's one of the few views where you can see Sugar Loaf and Corcovado at the same time. This viewpoint, built in 1906, is an oriental pagoda paying homage to the Chinese who imported tea to Brazil in the early ^19th century.

Cachoeiras do Horto. Ideal for a refreshing dip in the park's waterfalls, buried in the vegetation. By bus, it's a 2 km climb on foot from the terminal of bus no. 409. Can be combined with Vista Chinesa.

Mirador Dona Marta. Perched 360 m above sea level, this viewpoint offers a single view of Sugar Loaf, Maracanã stadium, Guanabara Bay and Corcovado. Recommended by car from the road leading from Cosmo Velho to Corcovado.