Pedra do Telégrafo Hike: The Complete Guide to Rio Viral Cliff Photo
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Hiking Pedra do Telegrafo
If you are craving an unbeatable view, a hit of adrenaline, and that viral cliff photo that Brazil is known for, then hiking Pedra do Telegrafo needs to be on your Rio de Janeiro bucket list. You have probably seen the viral Rio cliffside photo, the one that looks like someone is hanging off a deadly cliff? Well, hiking Pedra do Telegrafo takes you to that exact spot! And don’t worry, it is an illusion, but one that will make everyone think you risked it all for the perfect shot.
Pedra do Telegrafo is located in the hills of Barra de Guartiba, where you begin with a view of a beautiful beach before climbing up a steep staircase through a local neighborhood. From there, you’ll wind your way through a forested trail until you reach the top, where you will be greeted with the most amazing views of Rio’s coastline that make every sweaty step worth it. This hike takes about an hour, and believe me, you will feel it.
I tackled this hike on what I thought would be a cloudy day, but by the time I reached the top, the sun had broken free and revealed the most breathtaking views that stopped me in my tracks. I was drenched, dragging myself up a hill, and definitely questioning my life choices, but now that I have done it, I am sharing everything I wish I had known before I signed up for one of the best hikes in Brazil.
In this guide, you will find everything you need to know before hiking Pedra do Telegrafo, including how to get there, what to expect on the trail, and how to get that iconic photo (without waiting forever in line).
What is Pedra do Telegrafo, and why is it Famous?
Pedra do Telegrafo became internet-famous thanks to its now-iconic cliff photo illusion. From the right angle, it looks like you’re dangling over a deadly drop, but the secret is, there is safe ground just beneath you.
This Pedra do Telegrafo illusion draws travelers from around the world, all hoping to capture their version of the viral cliff photo that many just can’t stop sharing on social media.
Pedra do Telegrafo Packing List: What to Bring
Preparing and packing for this hike is the difference between struggling through the hike and somewhat enjoying the Pedra do Telegrafo trail. Since the hike is steep, slippery, and sweaty, you want to bring the right gear.
If you are planning to do this hike, I would recommend the following:
- Light Jacket
- Bug Spray
- Comfortable Shoes
- Water
- Snacks
- fanny pack
Since I did a morning hike, I wore a short-sleeve t-shirt, a sports bra, and leggings. This outfit was perfect for the start of the hike, but I do wish I had worn shorts because, as the day went on, I did get a little warm. I ended up taking off my top and just wearing my sports bra about halfway through the hike.
You 100% need bug spray; the bugs out there were eating people alive. I put it on any uncovered part of my body. Also, make sure you are wearing comfortable shoes, because you are walking on uneven surfaces for 98% of the hike, and the rocks are pretty slippery as you go down, so wear something with some grip so you don’t end up falling.
Finally, I would make sure to use a fanny pack to carry your water and snacks. I got the regular-size water, probably a 16.9-ounce one, and wish I had gotten something slightly bigger because on the way down, I got really thirsty. There is a restaurant on the way down that we stopped at to grab food, and I got some Pastels that were so good. I highly recommend grabbing food there.
Best time to Hike Pedra do Telegrafo and Beat the Crowds
Initially, I wanted to do a sunrise hike, and since I was solo in Brazil at the time, I did not trust myself to do the Pedra do Telegrafo hike alone. I struggle a little with directions and did not want to get lost in the woods, so I knew this hike had to be completed with a group. Plus, who would take my photos?
I booked my tour via Viator, paying about $60 for pick-up and a guide. The group was about 12 people, and even though the tour said it started at 6 am, because my hotel, the Grand Hyatt Rio de Janeiro, was closer to the hike, I wasn’t picked up until about 7:20 am, so I was able to sleep in just a little.
Upon pickup, it took us about 30 minutes to reach the start of the hike. We started our Pedra do Telegrafo hike just after 8 am, and it turned out to be the perfect time to avoid crowds at the top. Before you begin, there is a store and bathroom, where you can pick up some final things that you might need. I grabbed some water and some sugary candy for the hike. I am so happy I got those things because I needed them as soon as I got started.
Is Pedra do Telegrafo a Hard Hike? What to expect on the Trail
The beginning of the hike felt like I was heading up 10 flights of stairs, steep stairs. I was out of breath after the first one and had to give myself a motivational prep talk to keep going. I was not expecting this and literally had to look back at the reviews to see if I had missed something when deciding on this hike.
Our guide would pause every so often for us to catch our breath and drink some water. Part of the hike is on cement, and then you hit the trail in the woods.
Once you hit the woods part of the hike, the rocks are a little slippery, and the ground is very uneven, so you will need to take your time.
At one point, I needed a hiking stick to help me reach the top. This definitely came in handy on the way down, helping me stay on my feet and avoid slipping on the rocks.
The Pedra do Telegrafo Photo Spot: What to Expect
Once you get to the summit, it is time for you to get your famous Rio cliffside photos. They have a photographer at the top who helps with poses and capturing your photo in addition to the guide. My guide used my phone while the photographer took professional photos.
I did end up going on this hike with someone I met the night before, who was attending the same conference as me, and she got some videos of me doing all of the poses. I paid for my photos in cash while there, and they were available after 10 pm that evening.
The photographer was really good. I had on workout clothes, and he would tell me if anything looked awkward in the photo so that I could adjust to get the perfect shot.
I noticed that he changed up some of the poses because for the friend and me, I ended up going with. Since I had a ponytail, I did one pose that she did not do, and it was probably my favorite photo that I took.
Make sure to listen to his directions so you can get the perfect shot. He guides you on how to take the cliff photo so that your photos don’t look awkward or overdone.
He does not edit the photos he takes, so you might need to make some adjustments to ensure they match what you are seeing. It felt like the camera couldn’t capture the same view I saw, especially the vibrant colors.
It probably took my group about 1 hour to get through all of us, which is the perfect amount of rest time. When we got about halfway through the group, another group had arrived and was waiting for us. I loved the time we arrived because it reduced the time we had to wait at the top.
Once we finished, we started heading back, but a few in our group wanted to stop at another rock to do some rappelling. I opted out and instead used that time to rest.
Is the Pedra do Telegrafo Hike worth it?
100% Yes. As hard as it was for me, I made sure to push my way through so I could get to the top! My guide told me that not everyone makes it to the stop.
Yes, you will be sore the next day, so take it easy the rest of the night.
Are you adding this to your list of things to do in Rio de Janeiro?
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YOOOOO why has no one mentioned the bugs in Brazil to me before?? Thank you so much for the bug spray tip, I would’ve gotten eaten alive haha. This seems so fun, I can’t wait to add it to my Rio itinerary!
I had never heard of it either. but there were so many bugs!!