3-Day Petropolis Teresopolis Trek

Private transfer from Rio de Janeiro to Petropolis. (1h50 / 70 km approx).

1st Day: Petropolis park entrance x Castelos do Acu

Hiking time: 5 to 7h

The first day of Petropolis Teresopolis crossing is the most demanding. During the 7 km up to Castelos do Açu shelter we gain approximately 1100 meters of altitude. The trail of Acu mountain goes through a dense forest and with a strong ascent to Pedra do Queijo viewpoint. Then the trail gets a little less steep until arriving at Ajax viewpoint, which has natural water supply. After Ajax, we need to face the point considered the most difficult of the ascent to the Açu castles: the Isabeloca mountain. This ascent is named after an alleged passage of Princess Isabel on the spot. Once Isabeloca is over, we’ll cross the Chapadao do Acu, a counterfort, before arriving at the Acu castles. This is the first place to stay overnight and where the first mountain shelter of the Petropolis Teresopolis Crossing is located. The view of the Acu castles closes the first day with a golden key. From there it is possible to see all of Rio de Janeiro and Guanabara Bay in addition to the entire mountain range of Serra dos Orgaos.

The current overnight options are (depend on availability of the National Park):

Camping (in camping tent)
Bivaque (collective room without beds inside the mountain shelter)
Bunk bed (bed inside the mountain shelter)

Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Refugio or Camping

2nd Day: Castelos do Acu and Pedra do Sino

Hiking time: 6 to 8h

The second day is undoubtedly the most beautiful of Petropolis Teresopolis crossing. The entire course goes on an average altitude of 2,000m. After leaving the Acu castles, we’ll cross a valley and then climb to the top of Morro do Marco. After descending this hill, we arrive in Luva valley and then ascend to the summit of Morro da Luva. The trail follows another section of rock summits, where navigation is complicated until reaching the section called The Elevator. The Elevator is a ladder made of steel rebar stuck to a steep stone that gives access to the summit of Morro do Dinossauro. Once at the top of Morro do Dinossauro, we find the first great view of the Pedra do Garrafão and Pedra do Sino stones. From there we start the descent to Vale das Antas and the trail continues to the summit of Morro da Baleia, where you can see the rock wall of Pedra do Sino, Garrafao and the trail channel where The Cavalinho is located. The Cavalinho (The small horse) has this name because it is a stone that to cross is necessary to make a movement similar to riding a horse. After overcoming Cavalinho, the trail follows the channel until it skirts Pedra do Sino and reach a bifurcation that gives access to the peak of Pedra do Sino and to the Shelter 4. The Pedra do Sino is the highest point of the crossing. At its summit there is an incredible 360 view, being possible to see several mountain ranges of the region, Rio de Janeiro city and even the Agulhas Negras peak and Serra Fina mountain range, in the clearest days.

The current overnight options are (depend on availability of the National Park):

Camping (in camping tent)
Bivaque (collective room without beds inside the mountain shelter)
Bunk bed (bed inside the mountain shelter)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Refugio or Camping

3rd Day: Pedra do Sino and End in Teresopolis

Hiking time: 4 to 6h

The third day is the least demanding of the crossing. The trail follows for approximately 9 km to the Teresopolis park dam, the final crossing point. During the descent we hike through two waterfalls where the highlight is the Veu de Noiva (Veil of the Bride) of Teresopolis with 16 meters of height that at certain times of the year is dry.

Private transfer from Teresópolis to Rio de Janeiro. (2h/110 km approx)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch