Pico do Papagaio Summit, Ilha Grande
At 982 metres, the rocky summit of Pico do Papagaio — named for its parrot-beak silhouette — rewards a tough half-day climb with arguably the finest view in the entire state of Rio de Janeiro: the whole of Ilha Grande spread below you, ringed by the glittering bay and its 365 islands.
The climb through Atlantic Forest
Trail T13 starts from the centre of Vila do Abraão — no car needed, since no cars exist on Ilha Grande. The path cuts almost immediately into dense Atlantic Forest, a cathedral of ferns, bromeliads and towering jequitibá trees. Guides regularly spot toucans, marmosets and the occasional capuchin monkey along the lower slopes.
The ascent takes around 2 to 2.5 hours at a steady pace; the descent another 2 hours. The trail is steep and rooted — closed-toe shoes are non-negotiable, and hiring a local guide is strongly recommended both for navigation and for knowing how to handle the wildlife (including the island's small population of venomous snakes).
The summit reward
On a clear day the summit delivers near-360-degree views across Ilha Grande's beaches, the open Atlantic and the green mainland hills of the Costa Verde. The rock formations at the top — which give the peak its parrot-beak name — make for dramatic foreground in photographs.
Many hikers opt for the pre-dawn start (departing Vila do Abraão around 1:30 am with headlamps) to catch sunrise from the summit. It is one of the most spectacular sunrises on Brazil's coast. Check weather carefully: low cloud can swallow the summit entirely and the trail becomes treacherous in rain.
Pico do Papagaio Summit, Ilha Grande on video
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