Hiking Morro Dois Irmãos: A Complete Guide

READY TO GO ON ONE OF THE BEST HIKES IN RIO DE JANEIRO?

One of my favorite hikes in Rio de Janeiro has got to be Dois Irmãos. Having been up there four times now – once even to celebrate Christmas Day at the top – I feel like I’m beginning to know the way up like the back of my hand.

Despite this, the view from the top never fails to amaze me. It’s picture-perfect, capturing Ipanema’s wonderful coastline with Lagoa to the left and the ocean stretching out endlessly to the right.

The hike up takes about 40 minutes through the forest with the occasional viewpoint to stop at, but before you get to the entrance of the trail, you need to go up to the top of Vidigal Favela. Ready to go hiking? Here is everything you need to know about hiking morro dois irmãos.

Where is Morro Dois Irmãos?

Morro Dois Irmãos (which translates to the ‘two brothers’ in English) are two peaks in between São Conrado and Leblon. The mountain is so named because it has two peaks, and from a distance, they appear to be standing side by side like two brothers.

You will instantly recognize them whenever you go to Ipanema or Leblon Beach. They are the two pointy mountains at the end of Leblon and are iconic features of the beautiful scenery there.

Know Before You Go

Before heading to the trilha morro dois irmãos, there are a couple of things that you should know:

dois irmãos mountain: The Basics

The higher of the two peaks stand at an elevation of approximately 533 meters (or about 1,749 feet). Typically, the hike to the summit begins from the Vidigal favela, which is situated at the base of the mountain. The elevation change from the trailhead in Vidigal to the summit is around 500 meters, considering Vidigal’s proximity to sea level.

The hiking trail itself covers a distance of approximately 1.5 kilometers (just under a mile), taking hikers through lush Atlantic forest and offering rewarding city and ocean views from the top.

Two Brothers Hike: Safety

It’s important to bear in mind that the trailhead starts in the Vidigal favela, an area that, like many urban communities, can have issues related to crime.

If you are planning to do a sunrise or sunset hike, when visibility might be lower, and there are fewer people around, it’s particularly recommended to go with a tour. Tour guides are familiar with the area, the local community, and the trail and can ensure a safer and more enriching experience, allowing you to fully appreciate the breathtaking views without unnecessary concern.

Morro Dois Irmaos: Difficulty

The hike up the Two Brothers Mountain is generally considered moderate in terms of difficulty. However, the path can be (VERY) steep in places, requiring a reasonable level of physical fitness. The trail may also be slippery, particularly after rain, which can increase the level of challenge.

But the hike doesn’t involve any technical climbing, and many people of varying fitness levels are able to complete it.

Time

It takes about 40 minutes to an hour to climb up to the main viewpoint, but you might want to stop along the way to take a couple of pictures. At the top, there is usually a line to take pictures, and you might want to spend some time just sitting at the top and enjoying the view.

As a result, make sure to give yourself ample time to really enjoy the hike and the view — 2 to 3 hours.

Packing List

• Water – it gets (really) hot going up, especially if you are hiking in Rio de Janeiro during the summer period. Bring a couple of liters with you
• Food – take some food with you to replenish any lost minerals and salts, plus restore energy. Normally a couple of sandwiches and a banana is ok.
• Sun essentials – make sure to bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. Remember, the Rio sun is incredibly strong, so make sure to reapply regularly.
• Sturdy shoes – closed-toe sturdy shoes only. Do not, I repeat, do not wear flip-flops or sandals.
• Camera – you will want to get some awesome photos on the way up and at the top.
• *Optional. Brazilian flag kanga (beach towel) – we saw a couple using a Brazilian flag at the top to help them take the perfect travel selfie. It may seem cheesy to some, but it actually makes a nice photo to remember Brazil and the hike.
• Cash – for the van or motor taxi going up Vidigal (more on that later), plus for the bus there and back, plus for extra food or drinks either in the favela or at the top – there are usually people selling water or drinks at the top.
• Plastic bag – to keep your rubbish in to throw away late

What should you wear? 

Shorts and a strap top are totally fine. Anything loose and comfortable is recommended. Wear trainers (or sneakers for our American friends!) for the hike. It’s not a particularly difficult hike, so hiking shoes or a hiking stick aren’t necessary.

If you do burn easily, I would recommend a t-shirt to cover your back and your shoulders. After my hike, I had a particularly nasty burn on my shoulders, which could have easily been avoided.

Top 3 Dois Irmaos Tours

If you aren’t too keen on hiking up yourself, there are plenty of great tours that will take you up the top my favorite top three Morro Dois Irmãos Rio tours include:

➤ Hiking and Abseiling in Morro Dois Irmãos lets you explore one of Rio’s natural gems. Starting from Vidigal Square, you ascend a 1.5 km trail to the summit. Enjoy panoramic views of iconic landmarks such as the Christ the Redeemer and Copacabana Beach. An ideal spot for beginner rappelling, this tour combines adventure with stunning vistas. ➥ BOOK IT HERE.

➤ The Rio de Janeiro: Vidigal Favela Tour and Two Brothers Hike offers a unique glimpse into Vidigal’s community life and breathtaking views. Starting in Vidigal, you’ll mingle with locals before hiking to multiple viewpoints overlooking landmarks like Rocinha slum, Pedra da Gávea, and Corcovado. From the summit of Two Brothers Hill, gaze at Rio’s famous beaches. This 4.5-hour tour is an insightful adventure into Rio’s social fabric. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

➤ The Morro Dois Irmãos Trail allows you to explore the hill with a guide who’s been a local for over 40 years. This immersive tour, recognized by TripAdvisor and certified by the Ministry of Tourism, takes you up the Vidigal Favela via shuttle, then on a hike to the peak. Enjoy photo opportunities and captivating stories, then descend through Vidigal, admiring local bars and graffiti art. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

How to get to Two Brothers Mountain

So, Morro Dois Irmãos how to get there? If you’ve decided to go up the trail yourself, here is what you need to know. I’ll assume you are in Ipanema, as that’s the easiest starting point, and that was where we started.

Take a Bus From Ipanema

If you are going from Praça General Osório, you can take the regular public 525 bus (R$4,05) that will go straight there. Alternatively, go towards the beach, and from there, you can take the regular public 104 bus (R$4,05) or the 557 (R$4,05).

The latter two options are a bit quicker. These buses go along Avenida Niemeyer and will drop you off in front of the Vidigal favela. It will take about 30 minutes to get there.

But wait! What if you are going early on a regular weekday morning? Why does this even matter? Well, Avenida Niemeyer is open to only one direction of traffic in the morning that is coming in the opposite direction to which you want to go.

Your bus option, in this case, is to take the bus that goes all the way around towards Rocinha and goes back down Avenida Niemeyer towards Ipanema. It’s a much longer route. But I have a better alternative for you, and it’s the one that we did when we set off to Vidigal early on a Tuesday morning.

Walking From Leblon

We took a bus to the end of Leblon, where we got off. You can also take the metro to the last stop in Leblon, which is Antero de Quental. From there, we walked to Vidigal, which took only about 20 minutes.

Not only is it quicker than going all the way around, but the path follows the coastline and offers gorgeous sea views. It’s totally worth it and will get you warmed up for the hike.

The entrance to Vidigal is easy to spot – it’s a large, wide opening with traffic going in and out and a sprawling favela behind it. If you’re not sure if you will spot it, keep your eyes out for the Sheraton Hotel. The Vidigal favela is around 200m in front of the hotel, so if you spot the Sheraton, you know you are almost there.

A Ride Through Vidigal Favela

Once you’re there, you need to get to the top of Vidigal, as that is where the entrance is. This means going through a favela. Is this dangerous? No. Vidigal has had a solid clean reputation for years and is one, if not THE safest, favelas in Rio.

You have three choices – walk (I don’t recommend this. It is a long, steep hill to the top, and you will be exhausted before you’ve even started the hike), take a van, or take a motor taxi.

The van is a small Kombi-van and charges about R$10 to get to the top. Personally, I prefer the motor taxi (it’s R$8-10 for one-way. Make sure you negotiate before taking the motor taxi to avoid being overcharged). It’s quicker and way more exciting than being in a van.

Safety precautions on the motor taxi are taken quite lightly, though – it’s not unusual to be given a helmet twice the size of your head, and you spend the whole journey clutching on to it as your head rattles around inside, trying not to think about how much it will hurt if you fall off.

If you do get given a poorly-sized helmet, simply ask for another one and trust the driver to take you safely to the top. They seem almost too at ease navigating up the steep hills and weaving in and out of cars, other motor taxis, and vans, but they do this several times a day and are skilled at what they do.

⚠️ Note: Be carefully going on and off the correct side to avoid touching the hot metal of the exhaust pipe. I learned this the hard way, and three years later, I still have a faint scar to this day.

Finding The Entrance

So you’ve got your motor-taxi or van, or you have crazily walked to the top, and now you are at the entrance. What do you do now?

So the motor taxi and van drivers will leave you at the correct spot – you simply need to say ‘trilha,’ which means trail, or ‘Dois Irmãos’. From the road, go through the gates that go onto a sporting ground with a football court and some outdoor workout equipment. Walk straight on towards the trees (so don’t turn right, just walk straight ahead), and you will see a small entrance into the forest. This is the beginning of the Morro Dois Irmãos hike.

The picture below shows where the van or motor taxi will drop you off (where the red star is). From there, walk past the sports ground until you see the entrance into the forest. This is the Morro Dois Irmãos entrance.

Climbing the Trail

From there on, it’s just a case of simply following the trail up. There are no routes that will lead you astray; just keep following the well-trodden path.

There are three viewpoints on the way up, including one of my favorites which overlooks Rocinha. These are great places to stop, take a rest, drink some water, and admire the views. If you forget your water, then no problem. Halfway up, there is a vendor that sells water and other soft drinks as well as basic and simple snacks, including acai.

It’s good to take cash with you (ideally small notes and change) in case you want to buy anything there. The whole hike takes about 40 minutes, and you can stay as long as you like at the top.

Some people go early to watch the sunrise or late to watch the sunset – both are highly recommended. The walk back down takes about the same time, as some parts are a little steep and need some careful navigating down. But all in all, it’s not an overly challenging hike but an immensely rewarding one.

The Summit — One of the Best Views of Rio

The view from the top is absolutely stunning  — arguably one of the most beautiful views of Rio. It is also totally worth waking up at a crazy hour of the morning to do it. But if you do plan on doing a sunrise (or sunset) hike, it’s best to do it with a tour.

Once you get up to the top, give yourself at least 30 minutes to sit and enjoy the view and, of course, take some epic photos.

The Return Trip

Once you’re exited the trilha, you can either get a motor taxi back down or simply walk down. Be aware, in terms of moto-taxi, they do not hang around waiting at the top like they do at the bottom so you may wait a while for one to come.

I personally love walking down as it’s a great chance to see the community up close and check out the amazing ocean views on the way down. There are also a few bars and restaurants you can stop in for a well-deserved caipirinha – Alto Vidigal or Bar da Laje are two that are great to check out.

From the bottom, you can either leave the favela and cross the road to get to the bus stop that is right opposite. Pick any bus that has Copacabana written on the front (there are loads), and that will take you back to Ipanema. Or you can pick up an Uber, which costs about R$10-15 to get back to Ipanema.

Like I’ve said, I’ve been on this hike four times, and I love it a little more each time. If you can only do one hike in Rio, make it this one.

Hiking Morro Dois Irmãos: Frequently Asked Questions

Please remember that these times can vary based on personal fitness and weather conditions.

Final Thoughts: Morro Dois Irmãos Hike

The Morro Dois Irmãos hike is a must-do experience for anyone visiting Rio de Janeiro. The trail offers a unique blend of natural beauty, panoramic city views, and cultural immersion as you start your journey in the vibrant Vidigal favela.

While the hike is moderately challenging due to its steep inclines, the reward at the summit is an unparalleled view of Rio that truly encapsulates the city’s juxtaposition of urban life and stunning natural landscapes.

Whether you’re an avid hiker or just someone looking for an unforgettable adventure in Rio, the Morro Dois Irmãos hike is certainly an endeavor worth considering.

And if you are an avid hiker, here are a couple of other Rio de Janeiro hikes that you can do while visiting this beautiful city.