- Type
- Landmark and viewpoint
- Area
- South Zone
- Free entry
- No
- Good for kids
- Yes
Sugarloaf (Pão de Açúcar) is the granite peak at the mouth of Guanabara Bay, in the Urca neighborhood, rising 396 meters. The cable car ride has two stages: from Praia Vermelha to Urca Hill (Morro da Urca), and from there to the top of Sugarloaf. The group formed by Sugarloaf, Urca, Cara de Cão and Babilônia hills was listed as national heritage by Iphan on 8 August 1973, according to the park.
A bit of history
The first stage, from Praia Vermelha to Urca Hill, 528 meters long, opened on 27 October 1912. The second, up to Sugarloaf, 735 meters long, opened on 18 January 1913. The project was designed by Brazilian engineer Augusto Ferreira Ramos. Bubble-shaped cars arrived in 1972 and the current ones, brought from Switzerland, were installed in 2008, according to the official Parque Bondinho website.
How the visit works
- Boarding: at the Praia Vermelha station, Avenida Pasteur 520, Urca.
- Hours: in October 2026 the official website listed daily operation from 8:30 am to 9 pm, with last boarding at 7:30 pm. Check before you go, as schedules change.
- Tickets: sold on the official website, with promotional fares for Brazilians and Rio state residents. Prices were not checked for this guide; see the official channel.
- At the top: viewpoints, restaurants, shops, an open-air art space and, on Urca Hill, a playground and a native stingless bee garden.
Hiking up Urca Hill
You can walk up Urca Hill on a trail that starts from the Cláudio Coutinho path, next to Praia Vermelha. According to the park, the climb takes about 30 minutes and is light to moderate. At the top, a special ticket lets you continue by cable car to Sugarloaf.
Access rules
Park rules forbid, among other things, drones, bulky items (such as tripods, beach umbrellas, beach chairs and bags over 25 x 35 x 55 cm), entering shirtless, in swimwear or barefoot, feeding animals and glass containers. Children under 16 must be with their parents or guardians.
Combine it with
Sugarloaf is also the classic counterpart to Christ the Redeemer. See the ideal day in the 3-day itinerary.
Practical tips
- Go in the late afternoon for sunset, but arrive early because of the line.
- Do not bring tripods, beach umbrellas or beach chairs: they are not allowed.
- Do not feed the marmosets: it is forbidden and harmful to them.
Frequently asked questions
How high is Sugarloaf Mountain?
Sugarloaf rises 396 meters, according to Wikipedia. Urca Hill, the first cable car stop, is lower.
How long does the visit take?
Both cable car rides are short, but visiting the viewpoints on Urca Hill and Sugarloaf usually takes a few hours. Plan half a day, especially in the late afternoon.
Can I walk up?
To Urca Hill, yes: the trail starts on the Cláudio Coutinho path and takes about 30 minutes, according to the park. From Urca Hill to Sugarloaf, visitors take the cable car.
When did the cable car open?
The first stage opened on 27 October 1912 and the second on 18 January 1913, according to the official website.
Pair it with
-
Paid South Zone Christ the Redeemer The statue on top of Corcovado, about 709 meters above sea level, inside Tijuca National Park. Go up by train, official van or on foot. See details -
Free accessKids South Zone Copacabana Beach Rio’s most famous beach, with its Portuguese stone wave promenade, kiosks, beach sports and the world’s biggest New Year’s Eve party. See details