Important Informations

– Alto Mourão

Elefante Rock is between the beaches of Itacoatiara (in the municipality of Niterói) and Itaipuaçu (in the municipality of Maricá). It is 412m above sea level and the highest peak of the park and of the city of Niterói. It is the most famous and crowded hill in the entire region, because, in addition to the spectacular view from the top, the access road provides all kinds of situations, being a very interesting path. You may walk on a well-marked trail under beautiful specimens of the Atlantic rainforest, across observation decks with beautiful landscapes and, in order to reach the final part, you will need to make (easy) climbing moves and also to climb and walk past some rocks and roots with a little exposure, so those who are not used to this kind of situation might feel “butterflies” in the stomach.
The name “Elefante Rock” is the most popular due to the design of its outline, when seen from Itaipuaçu Beach, resembling an elephant. Other known names are, as follows: Fake Sugar Loaf and Itaipuaçu Rock, besides the one with historical support, Alto Mourão, named after Duarte Martins Mourão, the owner of these lands in the mid-16th century.
The trail begins at the highest peak of the short hill (Gilberto Carvalho Road), 150m high, about 50m before reaching Itaipuaçu Observation Deck, and is marked with signs. Follow up the south slope in a well-marked trail, with few obstacles, and cross an area under recovery in this initial section. After walking 600m up for about 20 minutes, the slope is less steep, the trail meets a clearing with rocks called Descanso Square (or, originally, Pita Square). After that, the trail remains relatively flat and with a slight rise and fall.

– Costão de Itacoatiara

The Costão de Itacostiara, also known as Tucum Hill, is a beautiful monolith moving forward to the sea between Elefante Rock and Itacoatiara Beach, one of the most popular in Niterói. These slopes are highly sought after, especially on weekends, both by hikers climbing the sloping ridge and by climbers who challenge the more upright granite faces, all wanting to reach the top to enjoy the view and the famous sunset.
The trail leading to Costão de Itacoatiara and Bananal Cove starts at the Visitors Welcome Desk, in Itacoatiara, at Rua das Flores nº 24, close to Itacoatiara Beach. As soon as you enter the gate of the Visitors Welcome Desk, sign the guest book and follow the trail that goes up in parallel to a wall a few meters ahead to then start a short zigzag, which lasts about 10 minutes, until you reach the neck of the valley, about 200m from the beginning of the trekking way. In this beginning the trekking way heads eastward, in the woods, and is well marked, with some improvements such as steps and handrails.

– Morro das Andorinhas
The Andorinhas Hill is an elongated elevation of 2.6 km in length and 196 m of altitude that advances on the sea, dividing the beaches of Itaipu and Itacoatiara. The denomination is due to a grotto in one of its faces, where swallows make their nests, a place of refuge to spend the night.
Begin by climbing the steep and cemented slope next to n 1,093 of Rua da Amizade. After about 60 m walking, the slope becomes less steep and, gradually, the pavement is giving way to a dirt road. Pass some houses and, 300 m later, take the path on the right, climbing a few meters towards a gate that marks the beginning of the trail, always well defined, with few obstacles and gently rising the long crest of the Swallows, crossing the medium-sized forest.
Just after the trail begins, there is a curve to the right, heading southwest. With a further 270 m, just over 5 minutes from the start, you reach an entrance on the left, next to a sign for the first belvedere facing Itacoatiara Beach and facing the main attractions of the park. This viewpoint is called Pitangueira Belvedere, located near a traditional community that lives on this slope known as the Community of the Jaqueira Site.
Returning to the main trail, a few meters ahead, turn right at a fork, signposted by another plate, and continue crossing the forest for 50m until you reach the Oceanic Region Belvedere, leaning over the Itaipu Neighborhood, practically in front of the link Beach with the Itaipu Lagoon. In this viewpoint, what attracts the attention of the visitors is the view of the famous mountains of the city of Rio de Janeiro.
After exploring the beautiful belvedere, head back to the main trail and continue walking southwest to the Itacoatiara Viewpoint, 180 m later, in less than 5 minutes walking. This one looks similar to the one of the first, but it is the main viewpoint of the Andorinhas Hill, practically facing the park’s postcard. From there you can see the Itacoatiara Beach, the Costão deItacoatiara(Tucum Hill), the Elephant Stone (Alto Mourão), the Stone of Solitude, the Telégrafo Hill and the continuation of the elongated Tiririca´s State Park.

– Córrego dos Colibris

It is an interesting walk entering the woods of the Colibris Stream, an area covered by secondary vegetation on regeneration process for over 50 years, where visitors have the opportunity to meet several important species of the Atlantic Rainforest, such as large fig trees, heliconias, tabebuias, floss silk tree, etc. And, of course, you should also visit the Colibris Well, with crystalline and perennial water, and the Pacas Bog, which is a flooded forest area. It is a flat and short trail, suitable for visitors of any age group and is also where the park holds environmental education events, mainly with the schools in the region.
The beginning of the trail is marked and starts at the end of the street Rua Engenho do Mato, in an intersection with the street Rua São João, heading East in the woods. The trail is flat, well-marked, protected by the shade of the trees, with several informative signs providing the visitor with a few more details about important specimens of the Atlantic Rainforest and about the park.