Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio: 3 Ways to Reach the Top

Sugarloaf Mountain, or Pão de Açúcar, is one of my favorite viewpoints in Rio de Janeiro, and for good reason. Imagine standing above the city with panoramic views over Guanabara Bay and Botafogo, with Christ the Redeemer watching over Rio in the distance. You get the city, coastline, and mountains all in one view.

What’s cool is that there are three very different ways to experience Sugarloaf: you can take the cable car all the way up, hike to Morro da Urca and continue by cable car, or climb to the summit via the Costão route.

After living in Rio for a few months, I’ve been lucky enough to do all three, some of them multiple times. They’re completely different experiences, so in this guide I’ll walk through how to visit Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio each way, what each option is actually like, and which one I’d choose depending on the kind of experience you want.

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What Is Sugarloaf Mountain?

Sugarloaf is the steep granite mountain that rises above Urca and Praia Vermelha, or “Red Beach,” right at the entrance to Guanabara Bay. Its Portuguese name is Pão de Açúcar, and it’s one of those landmarks you’ll see from all over Rio.

One thing to understand is that a visit to Sugarloaf involves two different peaks. Morro da Urca is the lower mountain and the first cable-car stop. Sugarloaf Mountain is the taller peak behind it and the actual summit.

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Summiting Sugarloaf Mountain at a Glance

With all of that in mind, here’s the quick version if you’re trying to decide which route makes the most sense for you.

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Option 1: Take the Sugarloaf Cable Car

The easiest way to reach Sugarloaf is by taking the cable car from Praia Vermelha up to Morro da Urca, then continuing on a second cable car to Pão de Açúcar.

I’ve taken the cable car several times, both to visit Sugarloaf and for events, and the ride itself is pretty straightforward. What can take some time is the line. During the day, the line at Praia Vermelha can wrap around quite a bit, and there’s another line at Morro da Urca before taking the second cable car to Sugarloaf.

You can buy tickets online ahead of time, or buy one at the ticket office at Praia Vermelha. I’ve even bought mine online while already standing in line. Once your ticket is scanned, you enter the building and continue through the boarding line until you reach the cable cars.

How the Sugarloaf Cable Car Works

The ride is split into two sections. The first cable car takes you from Praia Vermelha to Morro da Urca, where you can walk around before getting in line for the second ride up to Sugarloaf.

I wouldn’t rush through Morro da Urca. There are shops, places to grab food, open seating areas, and even a small craft beer stand where you can get a drink and hang out for a bit. One of my favorite views from here is looking across Rio toward Christ the Redeemer.

At Sugarloaf, the views open up even more. It can also get surprisingly windy at the top, especially later in the evening, so I’d recommend bringing a light layer if you’re staying for sunset.

Who Should Take the Cable Car?

If you’re short on time, traveling with family, have limited mobility, or simply have no interest in hiking, take the cable car. You’re still getting the full Sugarloaf views; you’re just skipping the workout on the way up.

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Option 2: Hike Morro da Urca + Take the Cable Car to Sugarloaf

If you want to add a little more activity or adventure without going all-in on Costão, you can hike to Morro da Urca and take the cable car from there.

The trail starts off 📍Pista Cláudio Coutinho, the paved path that runs along the base of Sugarloaf from Praia Vermelha. From there, you turn onto the Morro da Urca trail and head uphill through the forest.

What the Morro da Urca Hike Is Like

The hike is short, but it is definitely uphill. The trail is mostly dirt, roots, and stairs through the forest, with a few viewpoints along the way. A lot of it is shaded, which helps when Rio is hot.

When I’ve done it at a steady pace, it has taken me around 30 minutes to reach Morro da Urca. I’d give yourself longer if you want to stop for views or just aren’t used to hiking uphill.

It’s enough of a workout that you feel like you did something, but I wouldn’t call it a difficult hike if you’re reasonably active.

One thing I would pay attention to is the trail closing time. When I was there, the Morro da Urca trail closed at 5:00 PM, and I actually showed up a little too late once and couldn’t enter. The hours can change, so check the current closing time before heading up, especially if you’re planning to go later in the afternoon.

Continuing from Morro da Urca to Sugarloaf

The regular hiking trail only takes you to Morro da Urca, not the top of Sugarloaf Mountain. From there, you can spend some time at Morro da Urca and then take the second cable car up to Pão de Açúcar.

The trail hours also matter on the way down. You might hike up while the trail is open, then stay for sunset and find that the trail has closed by the time you’re ready to leave. That isn’t really a problem, though. You can take the cable car back down instead and buy a one-way ticket from the kiosks on the mountain.

Who Should Choose the Hike + Cable Car?

For most active travelers, this is probably the option I’d choose. You get some exercise, spend part of the route in the forest, and still get the full Sugarloaf experience without doing anything technical. Bonus: you save a little bit of money on the cable car.

It feels like more of an outing than simply taking both cable cars, but it’s still very accessible compared with the Costão route.

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Option 3: Hike and Climb Sugarloaf via Costão

If you want the most adventurous way up Sugarloaf, Costão is the way I’d go. It gives you a completely different side of the mountain, with fewer people, exposed granite, and a route that feels much more hands-on than the cable car or Morro da Urca hike.

I did it with friends who had climbing gear, and it ended up being one of my favorite ways to experience Sugarloaf. Costão is the route that actually lets you hike and climb Pão de Açúcar itself rather than stopping at Morro da Urca.

What the Costão Route Is Like

The route starts from the same general Praia Vermelha area at 📍 Pista Cláudio Coutinho, but instead of turning left onto the Morro da Urca trail, you continue around the mountain toward Costão.

Most of the route felt more like steep, exposed hiking and scrambling with one technical section that needed gear. The granite can be pretty slanted, and there are sections where you’re using your hands as much as your feet, so good shoes make a difference.

What I loved most was how quiet it felt. Once we got around the backside of Sugarloaf, it was basically just me and my friends with uninterrupted views over the ocean and surrounding mountains.

At one point I climbed up a section of rock, looked over, and there was a tiny marmoset just sitting there watching me. I’ve seen them on the Morro da Urca trail too, but seeing one up close with almost no one else around made the route feel even more removed from the busier side of Sugarloaf.

Eventually you reach the section where ropes and harnesses are used. That was the most technical part for me. My friend set up the gear, we climbed that section, and then continued hiking and scrambling the rest of the way to the summit. Honestly, once that climbing part is finished, the rest of the hike felt pretty easy.

Do You Need a Guide or Climbing Experience?

You don’t need to be an experienced climber to do Costão, especially if you go with a proper guide. A lot of tours describe it as an introduction to basic rock climbing, which lines up pretty well with my experience.

I still wouldn’t treat it like a normal hike that I’d do alone. The route is steeper and more exposed than Morro da Urca, and there is a section where climbing equipment is used. I’d go with a guide or with someone who genuinely knows the route and has the proper gear.

Reaching the Top of Sugarloaf

This was probably the most rewarding way I’ve reached Sugarloaf. You spend most of the route away from the crowds, then eventually come up onto the same summit where everyone else arrived by cable car.

We reached the top around sunset, which made it even better. After hiking and scrambling your way up the side of the mountain, stepping onto the summit feels very different from arriving by cable car.

Who Should Choose Costão?

I’d choose Costão if you like hiking, want something more adventurous, and are comfortable with steep terrain and some exposure.

You don’t need to already be a serious climber. If you go with a guide, it can be a really fun introduction to climbing without the entire route feeling like a technical climb.

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Sugarloaf Mountain Tickets in Rio: What You Actually Need

If you’re taking the cable car from Praia Vermelha, you can buy a regular round-trip ticket online on the Bodinho website, or purchase one when you arrive. The ticket takes you to both Morro da Urca and Sugarloaf, then back down.

If you’re hiking to Morro da Urca first, the hike itself is free, so you don’t need a ticket to start. Once you reach Morro da Urca, there are kiosks where you can buy a ticket if you want to continue by cable car to Sugarloaf.

You can also use the cable car to get back down if you stay at Morro da Urca past the hiking trail’s closing time. I’ve done this before after hiking up, so you don’t necessarily have to commit to your entire route before you start.

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Best Time to Visit Sugarloaf Mountain

Morning.
If you want the least amount of people, shorter cable-car lines, and cooler temperatures during the Morro da Urca hike, go in the morning.

Sunset.
This is my favorite time to visit Sugarloaf, as the colors changing over the dense city feel like something out of a movie. I’ve watched sunset from both Morro da Urca and Pão de Açúcar, and both are beautiful. Pão de Açúcar felt more crowded to me, while Morro da Urca gave me a little more space and still had great views across the city. Fun fact: sometimes there are sunset DJ sets at Morro da Urca too, which makes it a cool place to hang out for a while.

Sunrise.
Normal cable-car and trail access doesn’t open early enough to do sunrise on your own, but there are special Sugarloaf Sunrise Tour Experiences. I’ve been on Morro da Urca around sunrise after a late-night event, and the early light was beautiful, but the sun was blocked by Sugarloaf. Seeing sunrise from Sugarloaf would give you uninterrupted views, and could be worth it if you want a calm relaxing Sugarloaf Mountain experience.

Weather matters.
I’d prioritize a clear day over almost anything else. Clouds can roll in quickly around the mountains, and it can get windy and noticeably cooler higher up on Pão de Açúcar, especially later in the day.

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How Long Do You Need at Sugarloaf Mountain?

How much time you need depends on how you’re getting up, the time of day you’re visiting, and how long you want to hang out at the viewpoints. Here’s how I’d estimate it at a high level:

I’d give yourself extra time if you’re going around sunset. The cable-car lines can get much longer, especially when everyone starts heading back down at the same time, and both Morro da Urca and Pão de Açúcar are places you may end up wanting to stay longer than you expected.

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How to Get to Sugarloaf Mountain

After living in Rio for a while, I found that Uber was the easiest way to get to Sugarloaf, using 📍Praia Vermelha as your destination point.

If taking the cable car…
Get dropped off on the south side of the roundabout, right by the Parque Bondinho entrance.

If hiking Morro da Urca or Costão…
Get dropped off on the east side of the roundabout, then walk through the small park to Praia Vermelha. From there, follow the beach north to 📍Pista Cláudio Coutinho.

Everything is close together once you arrive, so choosing the right side of the roundabout just saves you a little unnecessary walking.

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Is Sugarloaf Mountain Worth Visiting?

Absolutely. Sugarloaf Mountain is one of Rio’s most popular attractions, so depending on when you go and how you arrive, it can definitely feel touristy. BUT I think the views of Rio around the mountain are worth it, and it’s honestly one of the most accessible viewpoints for sunset.

If it’s your first time in Rio, I’d still put Sugarloaf pretty high on the list. For most active travelers, I’d choose the Morro da Urca hike plus cable car because it gives you a little more of an experience without making the day complicated. If you want something more adventurous, Costão is the one I’d pick.

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