I hiked Pedra do Telegrafo at 34 weeks pregnant and it was SO WORTH IT. It’s truly one of the best hikes in Rio de Janeiro.
Ever since we decided we were going to have our baby in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, this hike has been on my bucket list.
Obviously as a full-time content creator and traveler, I had to get the iconic shot hanging off of the rock with nothing but the ocean in the background.
And it was a success! We arrived early and had the whole place to ourselves for a good 20 minutes.
Sometimes it gets so crowded that you have to wait 5+ hours for a photo, so you’ll want to plan accordingly.
In this guide, I’ll be sharing everything you need to know to have the best experience (and perfect photos) at Pedra do Telegrafo Brasil!
What is Pedra do Telegrafo?
Pedra do Telégrafo is a rock formation located in Barra de Guaratiba, about an hour west from Rio de Janeiro’s city center.
It’s famous for an optical illusion that makes it look like hikers are hanging off a dangerous cliff.
In reality, the rock is just a few feet above the ground and is super safe!
Where is Pedra do Telegrafo?
Pedra do Telegrafo Rio de Janeiro is located in Barra de Guaratiba, the western part of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
It is about 60 km (37 miles) from Rio’s city center, so if you are staying in Zona Sul it will take you a while to get there!
You can see exactly where the trail is using the map below:
How to Get to Pedra do Telegrafo
Like I said before, some people said they had to wait over 5+ hours to get their photo opportunity at the top.
Since I was almost 9 months pregnant, that’s definitely something I did NOT want to do.
So the trick is you’ll want to arrive as early as possible and go on a weekday. We left at 5:30am from Recreio dos Bandeirantes and started hiking by 6:30am.
Here are your options:
By Private Taxi
This is what I recommend to everyone wanting a seamless experience.
By hiring a private driver, he can pick you up at your hotel or accommodation, drive you to the trail, wait for you to finish hiking, and drive you back. This option is safe and comfortable!
This is how I arranged for my parents to go hiking, with a trusted driver named Agusto. He charges super fair rates for the trip, and speaks English, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Please DM me on Instagram if you would like his contact and I’d be more than happy to share his WhatsApp with you!
By Private Tour
There are many tour guides who include transportation from the city center or wherever you’re staying, who also hike the trail with you.
This option is for you if you’re not comfortable hiking, or if you are traveling alone.
By Uber
Ubers are relatively easy and cheap in Rio, and you should not have a problem getting an Uber to the trail.
However, depending on the time of day, there may not be Ubers to take you back to the city center as the trail is quite far and remote. There simply aren’t many Ubers going to and from Guaritiba.
If possible, I would recommend asking your Uber driver if he can wait for you, or arrange your own transportation back such as taking a bus.
By Bus
I would NOT recommend this option as it can take 2+ hours each way. And since you’ll want to get there early, it might not be possible if you take public transportation.
But if you really want to save money, here is what you’ll do:
- Take the BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) from the city center (Zona Sul) to Recreio shopping mall.
- Transfer to a local bus heading to Barra de Guaratiba.
By Car
My husband and I had our own car and decided to drive to the base of the trail and park our car there for a few hours.
We were one of the first people to arrive and parked right where the trail starts.
There’s no official parking lot, but when we went there was an old lady who collected money and watched our car for us.
It cost 50 BRL for the whole time, which honestly is a lot for Rio, but I was super pregnant and did not want to hike more than I needed to!
Here is where we parked on a map:
Pedra do Telegrafo Hike Details
This is a relatively easy hike if you go early to avoid crowds and heat. I hiked it at 34 weeks pregnant!
- Distance: ~3.5 km (2.2 miles) round trip
- Duration: About 1 hour (one way), and budget 20-30 minutes at the top to rest and take pictures
- Difficulty: Moderate; steep and slippery in some areas, but suitable for beginners
- Best Time to Visit: Early morning, as early as possible
Tips for Pedra do Telégrafo
✅ Start as early as possible to beat the heat and crowds (try to get there and start hiking before 7am)
✅ Go on a weekday for fewer people.
✅ If you’re not comfortable hiking alone, consider a guided tour so you have a designated photographer!
✅ Make sure you have travel medical insurance in case anything goes wrong.
How to Get the Perfect Shot at Pedra do Telegrafo
Once you reach the top, you’ll see the famous rock.
To be honest, it was a little underwhelming when I first saw it, but the picture makes it worth it!
The small ledge in the picture above creates the illusion of a dramatic drop. As you can see, it’s only a few feet above the ground, making it completely safe!
If you’re visiting on a weekend or during the day, be prepared to wait in line for your turn. Lots of people want photos!
Photo Tips
📷 Wear bright colors to pop against the blue sky and ocean.
📷 Create a saved album on Instagram with photo inspiration!
📷 Try jumping from the ground to make it look like you’re hanging.
What to Bring to Hike Pedra do Telegrafo
Mosquito Repellent
You’ll DEFINITELY want to cover yourself in bug spray. There are swarms of mosquitos and I got bitten even after dousing myself in repellent. My mom only casually sprayed herself and got attacked everywhere on her body that she missed.
Comfortable hiking shoes
As a Havaianas flip flop lover, I was considering wearing sandals on this hike but am SO glad I didn’t. You’ll want hiking shoes as the trail can be slippery and muddy!
I left my hiking shoes in the office and had to wear my flat sneakers and actually slipped once.
Lots of water and snacks for the top
As we left super early, we didn’t have time for breakfast so I’m so glad we packed fruits and snacks to go.
You’ll also want to pack lots of water as we didn’t see anyone selling drinks. Plus if it’s humid you want to make sure you stay hydrated!
Sunscreen
Depending on what time of day you start hiking, you will want to consider sunscreen. The trail is mostly shaded but there are a few spots (including the photo location) where there is minimal shade.
Cash
Always have a bit of cash on you for parking fees or if you would like to tip your driver/guide!
Is Pedra do Telegrafo Worth It?
If you like being active and want an Instagram-worthy photo for your feed, then this hike is a HELL YES!
I hope this guide was helpful and feel free to DM me on Instagram with any questions.
What To Do Next
Buy an eSIM card so you are immediately connected as soon as you land! I always purchase an Holafly eSIM which gives you unlimited data. Use WANDERLOVER For 5% off!
Buy travel medical insurance so you are fully covered in case anything goes wrong. I use SafetyWing on all my trips and recommend them!
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