Sugarloaf Mountain (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) - detailed description, location, cable car, reviews, photos and map.
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| Sugarloaf Mountain |
Sugarloaf (Pão de Açúcar) is a mysterious exotic place in Rio. What it is? The 396 m high mountain overlooking Guanabara Bay is the second most important observation deck after Corcovado in Rio. From the top of the mountain, a stunning view of the seascapes and golden sands, the panorama of the night city and the famous statue of Christ opens up.
Sugarloaf - what a strange name! Why the head, you can still understand, but what does the sugar have to do with it? For some not entirely clear reason, the locals compare the mountain to a lump of sugar. Whether this is true or not, one can understand only by seeing the legendary Sugar Loaf up close. There is another version, according to which the name comes from the sugar cane, which once covered the slopes of the mountain.
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| Sugarloaf Mountain Cable Car |
It got its amazing shape as a result of the weathering of igneous rocks that ended up on the surface. Due to the special composition of the soil, vegetation on the slopes is almost absent. In the middle of the 16th century, the first inhabitants settled at the foot of the Sugarloaf. Subsequently, the city of Rio de Janeiro grew out of a small settlement.
Today, you can get to the top of the famous mountain by cable car in one of the cozy funiculars. Ascent in two stages with an intermediate parking, where it is necessary to change the trailer. By the way, you can climb to the parking lot on foot, the views, they say, are amazing.
Address: Monte Pão de Açúcar.
Funicular working hours: 8:00 - 19:50, seven days a week.
Admission: 110 BRL, from 6 to 21 years old: 55 BRL, up to 6 years old admission is free.
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| Sugarloaf Mountain, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
Interesting Facts
- In 1817, the English nurse Henrietta Carstairs reached the summit and planted the British flag, becoming the first conqueror of the famous mountain.
- The Sugarloaf symbol was used by the logo makers of the 28th World Youth Day
- There are several expensive restaurants on the mountain, where dinner will cost decent money, but the views of Rio in the setting sun and the lights lit in the city are worth it.
- Every weekend from mid-November to February, Sugar Loaf hosts the Carioque Nights festival with the participation of the country's most popular artists
History
The Portuguese settled at the foot of the mountain in 1565. And soon the city of Rio de Janeiro, known to us today, grew out of a small village. In 1817, the first officially recorded ascent to the top took place. An Englishwoman named Henrietta Carstairs conquered the Sugarloaf with the British flag. At the beginning of the 19th century, the construction of the cable car started, which is functioning properly to this day. Near the attraction is the Concha Verde - an open amphitheater where concert and entertainment programs are held for tourists.
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| Sugarloaf Mountain |
Cable Car
Due to the transparent cabin of the cable car, which raises tourists to a height of 400 meters, this cable car was dubbed the most extreme and scary place in the world. However, there is no reason for fear: the funiculars have been working properly for more than a hundred years, delivering 70 people at a time along the established route. During this time, not a single dangerous case was noticed. The cable car gives only pleasant impressions from the contemplation of the stunningly beautiful city landscapes. It was designed in 1908 by Augusto Ferreira Ramos, and was opened 4 years later, becoming the first in the country and the third in the world. Nowadays, the Rio cable car receives 30 million people annually.
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| Sugarloaf Cable Car |
The route includes three stops:
1. "Red Beach"
This is the name of the town of Praia Vermelha with the beach of the same name. From a height, the snow-white sand and azure of the Atlantic Ocean against the backdrop of Brazilian skyscrapers look like living photos from the covers of travel magazines.
2. Mount Urca
It is located at an altitude of 220 m. The funicular covers the distance from the first stop to the second in just 2 minutes. An amphitheater was built on a hill in the 70s, where various dance and music shows are held.
3. Sugarloaf Mountain
The third stop is at the summit of 396 m, which offers a full view of the city and Guanabara Bay. From the mountain you can see the beaches of Leblon, Lemme, Ipanema, Copacabana and Flamenco, Santos Dumont airport, the Rio Niteroi bridge, central Rio, the Statue of Christ, Mount Corcovado and other attractions that people come to Rio de Janeiro to admire.