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PÃO DE AÇÚCAR - SUGAR LOAF

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4.7/5
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Av. Pasteur, 520 - Urca, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
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2024
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2024

The Sugarloaf Hill and its cable car are emblematic markers of Rio and offer a breathtaking view of the bay.

An essential walk when arriving in or returning to Rio. Sugarloaf is one of Rio's spatial landmarks and, along with Christ the Redeemer, one of its most famous postcards. Many graphic signatures and brands (including a major retailer) use the name or effigy of this geological phenomenon located in the southern part of the city, near the Praia Vermelha. At a height of 395 m, Sugar Loaf stands at the entrance to Guanabara Bay. Its summit is reached by two cable cars, the first taking you to Morro da Urca, the second to the Sugar Loaf itself. From here, you can see Rio and its bay surrounding the rock on all sides, with the strange feeling of being in the heart of the city. The name Sugar Loaf(Pão de Açucar in Portuguese) derives from the sugar mould used until the last century to form sugar blocks. It is literally a 500-million-year-old block of quartz. It was at the 1908 International Exhibition that it was decided to build the ropeway, the first version of which was made of wood. The second was built in 1912, and the third in 1913, linking the Urca morro with the Sugar Loaf morro. The one in use today was built in 1972 and can carry up to 73 passengers. The first cabin takes tourists up to the Morro de Urca station in 3 minutes; at the first stop, there's a superb panoramic view; this is also where the helicopters land for a 15-minute tour of the bay; there's an evening entertainment area and a restaurant; the next cabin takes you to the very top of the Pain de Sucre, where you overlook the bay, and the view over the city is superb. You get an overview of the forts that defended the bay, then a strategic point at the entrance to the city, about 1 km wide between Fort Santa Cruz and Fort São José. On the other side of the bay, you can see the city of Niterói and its beautiful sandy beaches. The runways of Santos Dumont airport are in line with the Sugar Loaf, if you enjoy aerial ballet. Further south are the beaches of Flamengo and Botafogo. In front of you, Corcovado's Christ the Redeemer greets you. The view of it from the Morro da Urca at dusk is marvellous. If you've chosen to take the hiking trail, this is the best time to do so. Finally, to the very south, the mythical bay of Copacabana and the morro de Leme.

The easiest way to get there is by cab. Of course, all cab drivers are familiar with this mecca of Carioca tourism. Cabs drop tourists off at the foot of the departure station, and people with reduced mobility have easy access to the funicular. By metro, get off at Botafogo station and then take the SP513 Urca bus.

Tip 1. You can walk up and down a forest path free of charge to the first Pain de Sucre, the junction of the two cable cars, whose mirador already offers a spectacular view of Rio. If you want to go all the way to the top, unfortunately there is no reduced fare for taking only the second cable car. The route is poorly signposted, but just ask for directions - everyone knows it! It's a starting point for Rio's green corridor. We advise you to walk back down, even if you pay the full ticket, as you'll avoid the queue and, above all, you'll discover a jungle atmosphere where you're sure to spot little monkeys typical of the Rio jungle. There are three species: macaco-prego, mono capuchino and el macaco-estrela. They are not shy and feed on fruit. They pose easily for photos, as they're looking for food, accustomed to the constant stream of tourists... Even if you see people doing it, never feed these wild animals, as this would jeopardize their metabolism, risking disease, and their ability to find food, and therefore their survival. You risk being bitten in the process. You can also see iguanas and many hummingbirds in the open area at the foot of the Sugar Loaf. Make sure you bring mosquito repellent if you opt for the descent on foot, and good shoes, as some passages are quite steep and slippery due to the mud present when it rains (which is quite frequent). Allow 30 minutes for a leisurely descent, and when you reach the bottom of the path, take the tarmac driveway on the right that runs along the bay to Praia Vermelha, where the cable car leaves. Some rock-climbers climb up to the top of the Sugar Loaf by means of routes. There are more than 100 of these, including some of Brazil's most emblematic (Italianos com Secundo, Cepi)...., which take between 4 and 6 hours of medium-to-difficult climbing of moderate physical intensity. Of course, we recommend that you climb with a certified guide (R$380 per person, R$290 for 2 or more people).

Tip 2. If you book a table at one of Sugarloaf's very expensive restaurants, especially for dinner, the cable car ride is free and the view at sunset is just magical...


Members' reviews on PÃO DE AÇÚCAR - SUGAR LOAF

4.7/5
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Visited in august 2023
J'y suis montée au coucher du soleil et c'était magnifique ! Attention à ne pas arriver trop tard car il peut y avoir de l'attente.
alboon
Visited in july 2019
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Un des must de Rio, une vue époustouflante sur la baie après l'ascension en deux temps par téléphériques. Possibilité de prendre un verre au sommet du pain de sucre avec une vue magnifique. Attention à bien prévoir sa visite car les temps d'attente peuvent être assez longs en fonction de l'affluence.
raf
raf
Visited in july 2019
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Un incontournable de Rio. Quelle vue sur la baie !
elizamonde
Visited in august 2019
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a faire absolument! magnifique. Vue impressionnante sur la baie de rio. 2 téléphériques à prendre avec pause entre deux pour faire des photos.
thon
Visited in june 2019
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VUE A 360° SUR RIO
Pour accéder au PAIN DE SUCRE nous avons emprunté un téléphérique avec 2 arrêts. Les paysages durant la montée et la descente sont fabuleuses (on peut voir le Christ REDEMPTEUR) , les favelas, les ports ainsi que les plages de RIO
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