Longest Urban Trail in Brazil Crosses Rio de Janeiro through the Mountains

02/10/2017 - 11h18

The Rio de Janeiro mountains that can be found in any postcard of the city look like impossible summits or very dense forests.

However, they are a real express road for hikers, one big block of forest from one side of the city to the other.

This corridor will be revealed on Saturday, February 11, with the inauguration of the longest urban trail in the country, the Transcarioca.

It crosses the city of Rio de Janeiro from Barra de Guaratiba, in the west zone, to Morro da Urca, at the feet of the Sugar Loaf mountain, in the south zone - in all, the trail is 180 kilometers long.

The Transcarioca's 25 sections run cross seven environmentally protected areas. On the way, desert beaches and urban areas, as well as animals, waterfalls and ruins can be seen.

Folha hiked along a part of the trail in search of what is left of a farm built in the country's colonial times.

The team found evidence, such as a "pé-de-moleque" (stone) sidewalk and a stone bridge, but not the main ruins.

The team passed by waterfalls, harmless snakes and lizards, as well as an observatory site overlooking the Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon and the Jockey Club with the beaches of Ipanema and Leblon at the back.

	Ricardo Borges - 27.jan.2017/Folhapress
	The Transcarioca crosses the city of Rio de Janeiro from Barra de Guaratiba, in all, the trail is 180 kilometers long

Unlike other long trails, it is not possible to cross the full extension of the Transcarioca at a stretch because most of the environmental conservation units it crosses do not allow visitors to spend the night.

The managers of the trail are mapping the most popular areas and believe that the trail will help to reduce crime.

However, it is recommended that hikers only walk during the day and in groups of, at least, three people.

Translated by THOMAS MUELLO

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