Sugarloaf Mountain (Brazil)

Sugarloaf Mountain (in Portuguese, Pão de Açúcar), is a peak situated in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, at the mouth of Guanabara Bay on a peninsula that sticks out into the Atlantic Ocean. Rising 396 metres (1,299 ft) above the harbor, its name is said to refer to its resemblance to the traditional shape of concentrated refined loaf sugar. However, it is believed by some that the name actually derives from Pau-nh-acuqua (“high hill”) in the Tupi-Guarani language, as used by the indigenous Tamoios.

.]]

Sugarloaf Mountain (in Portuguese, Pão de Açúcar), is a peak situated in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, at the mouth of Guanabara Bay on a peninsula that sticks out into the Atlantic Ocean. Rising 396 metres (1,299 ft) above the harbor, its name is said to refer to its resemblance to the traditional shape of concentrated refined loaf sugar. However, it is believed by some that the name actually derives from Pau-nh-acuqua (“high hill”) in the Tupi-Guarani language, as used by the indigenous Tamoios.

The mountain is only one of several monolithic morros of granite and quartz that rise straight from the water's edge around Rio de Janeiro. A glass-paneled cable car (in popular Portuguese, bondinho - more properly called teleférico), capable of holding 75 passengers, runs along a 1400-meter route between the peaks of Pão de Açúcar and Cara de Cão every 20 minutes. The original cable car line was built in 1912 and rebuilt around 1972/1973 in its current form. The cable car goes from the base, not the peak of the Babilônia mountain, to the Urca mountain and then to the Pão de Açúcar mountain.

Rock climbing

Visitors can watch rock climbers on Sugarloaf and the other two mountains in the area: Morro da Babilônia (Babylon Mountain), and Morro da Urca (Urca's Mountain). Together, they form one of the largest urban climbing areas in the world, with more than 270 routes, between 1 and 10 pitches long. Some routes in Sugarloaf are:

  • Italianos, 5.10a, 2 pitches. Beautiful and well protected face climbing. It can be connected to other routes, in a total of 6 pitches to the top.
  • Stop Chimney, 5.6, 7 pitches. A classic runout but easy chimney.
  • Lagartão, 5.11c, 7 pitches. The first two pitches are traditional climbing, the rest is bolted.
  • Ibis, 5.10d A1, 10 pitches. Runout and committed. Some parties climb it in one day, sleeping on one of the ledges in the first half of the route.

Appearances in media

The mountain may be known for its memorable scene in the 1979 James Bond movie, Moonraker, in which the villainousa henchman Jaws attempts to kill 007 and the agent's ally, Dr. Holly Goodhead, on a cable car.

External links

Listed in the following categories:
Post a comment
Tips & Hints
Arrange By:
17 February 2024
Stvarno nije korektno da nigde ne piše da staza koja vodi do prvog vrha je sva u stepenicama. Treba da pise i koliko ih je pa da svako proceni da li moze tom stazom da krene. Dovrha su sve same stepenice. Lrpo izgleda ali je pretrško za savladavanje. Za starije osobe i bez kondicije. Jer je klima u džungli vlažna pa je to dodatno naporno. A jos ako hodola prrstaje sa radom pa morate i na dole stepenicama onda je to katastrofa za izdržati fizički. Eto ja imam upalu mišića. I bas mi je žao što nisam imala tu informaciju.
naveen
5 January 2015
great spot for photos - especially around dusk. the mountain Urca, next to it, is where you should get a helicopter ride around Açúcar and the beaches and around Cristo. well worth it.
Emilio Borel
15 August 2014
Awesome place and view! Try and arrive as early as possible to avoid big crowds in the cable cars and get the best shots at the top. A tip for foreign visitors: everything is way costy up there.
SV Ah Ma
18 May 2016
Sunset is nice up here but not many places to have a good view except for the cafe..
AFAR Media
25 November 2014
While in Rio you must go to Sugarloaf Mountain. It has beautiful views of the entire city. It was so beautiful that we ended up being happy it wasn't a crystal clear day.
Ryan Leggett
13 April 2018
Hike up to the first peak and then take the cable car back down after sunset. Fair warning that the lines can be long, so get started early!
Alex Tambu
24 January 2015
Well worth taking the cable cars to see the crazy panoramic views. An experience not to be missed and you really don't need a tour. It's cheaper and you can spend as much time as you wish taking pics.
Load more comments
foursquare.com

Hotels nearby

See all hotels See all
Américas Granada Hotel

starting $39

Ibis Rio de Janeiro Centro

starting $50

Rio's Presidente Hotel

starting $31

Belga Hotel

starting $28

Ibis Budget Rio de Janeiro Centro

starting $33

Hotel Carioca

starting $20

Recommended sights nearby

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Farol da Fortaleza de Santa Cruz

O Farol da Fortaleza de Santa Cruz é um farol brasileiro, localizado

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Aterro do Flamengo

REDIRECT Flamengo Park

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Copacabana (Rio de Janeiro)

Copacabana is a borough located in the southern zone of the city Rio

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Catete Palace

The Catete Palace (Palácio do Catete) is an urban mansion in Rio de

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Cemitério São João Batista

Cemitério São João Batista (Cemetery of Saint John the Baptist) is a

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Monument to the dead of World War II

The Monument to the Dead of World War II, in Шаблон:Pt 'Monu

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Santos Dumont Airport

Santos Dumont Airport (IATA: SDU, ICAO: SBRJ) is the second major

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Escadaria Selarón

Escadaria Selarón, also known as the 'Selaron Steps', is a set of

Similar tourist attractions

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
First (Grindelwald)

First is a minor summit on the slopes of the Schwarzhorn in the

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Cumbre del Cerro San Cristóbal

Cumbre del Cerro San Cristóbal is a tourist attraction, one of the

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Corcovado

Corcovado (Portuguese pronunciation: [koɾkoˈvadu]), meaning '

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Calton Hill

Calton Hill () is a hill in central Edinburgh, Scotland, situated

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Vinicunca

Vinicunca, or Winikunka, also called Montaña de Siete Colores,

See all similar places