If you have ever been to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil you have noticed the giant rock with the flat top, shaped something like a rectangle from afar. This is Pedra da Gavea and climbing it is #7 of my Top 10 “Off the Beaten Trail” Things To do in Rio. The view from the peak is something you can never forget

Pedra da Gavea

Corcovado in the foreground and the flat Pedra da Gavea in the distance

Pedra (Rock) da (of) Gavea (top sail) was named Rock of top sail by the first Portuguese explorers in 1502. A top sail is highest sail on a ship and the best place for a sailor to sit to survey the horizon. Pedra da Gavea is higher than even Corcavado, the mountain on which stands the statue of the Christ and the top of this giant rock you can see the most spectacular views of the Altantic Ocean, you can see the tops of other giant mountains that divide the neighborhoods of Rio, not to mention beaches, lagoons, and even the  beatuiful Serra dos Orgãos mountain range over 40 miles away in Petropolis.

The mysterious face on the mountain, likely caused by erosion although many claim that the indigenous carved it long ago.

No fees or permits are required to climb. I reccomend scaling the rock with a few friends or a group in the afternoon before the night of a full moon and then staying the night up there. The moon casts the most beautiful light on the water and on everything you see. Scaling the monolith takes 3-4 hours and unless you are going with seasoned climbers you should get a guide as there are many different ways to the top and the easiest is still pretty challenging. Some routes are for serious climbers only. If you need a guide, you can contact Montcamp, they specialize in all kinds of climbing.

The view from the top

Stay the night, Gaze up at billions of shimmering stars and contemplate your existence. It’s a nice spot for that.