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BRALeblon Ipanema Lagoa from Tijuca Vista ChinesaFreeCP

Our intrepid Client Information Manager, Claire Milner describes her experiences of Tijuca Forest, Brazil. She explains just why the forest deserves its latest accolade as Lonely Planet’s number one urban park in the world.

It came as no great surprise to me that Tijuca Forest in
 Rio de Janeiro has been nominated number one urban park in the world by Lonely Planet.

I first visited the park in 1982, fresh from an adventure hitch-hiking on contraband trucks through the swamps of the Paraguayan chaco – so, to be honest, I thought it was a bit tame.  But my many explorations of the trails since then have certainly changed my mind. 

While the park is well-signed, easy underfoot and popular at weekends with cariocas, there is a real feeling of untouched nature: the steamy tropical vegetation thrives without restraint.  In fact, the rugged, mountainous area was cleared for coffee plantations so the original vegetation was lost but it has been replanted with exuberant mata atlântica woodland, of which many species are bordering on extinction.

The renewed forest was declared a national park in 1961. Closely packed deep green foliage heavy with fruit and battalions of bright flowers clings to steep, shady slopes, drinking from a spidery network of sparkly streams and waterfalls.  Most famously, it cloaks the Corcovado mountain, on top of which stands the Christ the Redeemer statue. Visitors to this iconic sight pass through the park, but only get a tantalising glimpse of its luxuriance from the café at waterfall at Cascatinha or from the Vista Chinesa (a rather incongruous pagoda-like structure with amazing city views).  

For the more adventurous however, it’s even more rewarding to walk the one-hour trail to Pedra Bonita, with views over the towering bulk of Pedra de Gávea, from which intrepid hang gliders leap towards the beaches below. More challenging is a 5hour, 8km hike over a circuit of trails, including some challenging climbs. From experience, I’d advise you to take plenty of water, something to eat, sunhat, sunblock, insect repellent, binoculars, camera (not too expensive one, and don’t take valuables) and good walking boots.  Oh, and then more water. It’s best not to go alone, and tell someone who doesn’t have the good fortune to accompany you where you are going. Guided trips are available.

 

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  • Lina
    Lina Fuller - Travel Expert

    Lina's passion for the continent where she was born really took off when she moved to Córdoba (Argentina) to study, spending the holidays travelling between Argentina and her native Colombia.

  • Juliet
    Juliet Ellwood - Travel Expert

    After graduating with a degree in Anthropology and History and having been fascinated by Latin America since childhood by the book featuring photos of Nazca, Juliet first visited the region in 2003. Since then, Juliet has visited the majority of countries in Latin America but has particularly extensive experience with Peru, a country she loves for many reasons but not least, its incredible archaeological richness and delicious food!

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    Sally Dodge - Travel Expert

    A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.

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    Heloise Buxton - Travel Expert

    Heloise started her Latin American journey as an exchange student in Santiago, Chile. With extended summer holidays this was the perfect opportunity to backpack through Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Brazil.

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  • Hannah
    Hannah Waterhouse - Travel Expert

    Hannah had an early introduction to Latin America when her family moved to Ecuador and she returned to study in Buenos Aires for a year before backpacking across the continent.

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