The three peaks
Heart of the Serra do Mar.
Jeovane da Rocha — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Titaflash — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Jorge Antonio de Oliveira Vicente — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Ricardo Wagner e Silva — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Guilherme caetano — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Julio Morais Fine Art — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Shooterb9 — CC BY-SA 3.0
Três Picos State Park, the «Three Peaks», is the largest state park in Rio de Janeiro. It was created by decree on 5 June 2002 over about 46,350 hectares in the heart of the Serra do Mar, spread across Cachoeiras de Macacu, Teresópolis, Nova Friburgo, Silva Jardim and Guapimirim. It is named after the Três Picos mountains, which reach 2,316 metres and are considered the centre of the Serra do Mar, with more than a hundred climbing routes of varying difficulty. Because its altitude ranges from about 100 to 2,316 metres, it holds the greatest biodiversity in the state, from dense rainforest to cloud forest and high meadows, home to endangered species such as the cougar. The park headquarters is in Cachoeiras de Macacu, with a giant pink jequitibá tree and dozens of waterfalls, while on the Nova Friburgo side trails lead towards the Vale dos Frades and Vale dos Deuses. The long routes are demanding and call for experience and a guide, so ask the park which trails are open.
Heart of the Serra do Mar.
Over a hundred.
Mountain trails.
Cachoeiras de Macacu, Teresópolis, Nova Friburgo and other municipalities, Rio de Janeiro state
The long trails are hard; start with short routes near the headquarters and use a guide.