All activities / Rock Climbing / Rio de Janeiro
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Rock Climbing in Rio de Janeiro
Brazil's marvelous city: beaches and granite domes, samba schools and the largest carnival on earth, with free flight, climbing, and jiu-jitsu inside the city limits.
Why here
Rio is the only major city where you can leave a beachfront hotel, ride fifteen minutes, and climb granite multi-pitch to one of the most famous summits on earth. Sugarloaf, Morro da Urca, and Babilonia hold more than 270 routes of one to ten pitches, one of the largest urban climbing areas anywhere, with classics like Via dos Italianos and Coringa topping out above Guanabara Bay; on Corcovado the routes finish beneath the arms of Christ the Redeemer. The tradition here dates to 1912 and keeps a bolted-but-bold local character, which is why even strong visiting climbers hire a local guide and why beginners can be walked up an easy classic the same week.
Best months
May through September is the dry, mild season and the reliable window; April and October work in good years. December through March is hot, humid, and stormy, with afternoon rock too hot to hold.
Getting there & around
Fly into GIG or SDU; the Urca crags are a short taxi from the beach neighborhoods. Guided days book out one to two weeks ahead in the June to August peak.
Skill levels: beginner, intermediate, advanced
Schools & guides (2)
Climb in Rio
GuideClimb in Rio has been guiding visitors since 1995 on Rio de Janeiro's world-famous rock formations, including Sugarloaf and Corcovado. The team offers personalized high-end climbing tours with English-speaking certified guides. The site carries the badge of the Associação Brasileira de Guias de Montanha (ABGM), Brazil's mountain guide association.
Rio Mountain Sports
GuideRio Mountain Sports runs guided rock climbing and hiking on Sugarloaf, Corcovado and beyond, from Rua Cândido Gaffrée 73 in Urca. Outings range from first-time outdoor climbs to classic multi-pitch routes such as Coringa and Via dos Italianos on Sugarloaf and the ultra-classic K2 on Corcovado, which finishes at the base of the Christ statue, each matched to the climber's experience level. The guides are bilingual and the site displays CADASTUR, ABGM and FEMERJ credentials.
Also good for rock climbing in September:
Torn between Rio de Janeiro and Fontainebleau for September?
A plan settles it for your skill and budget, same-day.