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Directions to Sugarloaf Mountain | Complete guide

Location of Sugarloaf Mountain

Address: Praia Vermelha, Urca neighborhood, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar) is situated in the charming Urca neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The mountain’s base is easily accessible from central Rio, just a short drive from popular areas like Copacabana and Botafogo.

Closest Landmark: Christ the Redeemer (11km)

About Sugarloaf Mountain

Getting to Sugarloaf Mountain by public transportation

By metro and bus

Best For: Budget-friendly and scenic approach

Travel time: Approximately 30-40 minutes walking from nearest metro

Closest Metro Station: Botafogo (about 2.1 km away)

From Botafogo metro station, you can either walk for about 30 minutes following marked paths toward the Sugarloaf Cable Car station or take a short bus or taxi ride to the base station at Praia Vermelha (Red Beach).

Bus lines 511 and 512 also stop near Praia Vermelha, which is the starting point for the cable car

Getting to Sugarloaf Mountain by car

Best For: Flexibility

Travel time: 23 minutes

Driving from Galeão International Airport to Sugarloaf Mountain is simple and direct. The journey spans approximately 24 kilometers and usually takes about 23 minutes. However, traffic can fluctuate, particularly during rush hours, so plan accordingly.

Parking at Sugarloaf Mountain 

Closest Parking: Near the Cable Car Base Station at Av. Pasteur, 520 – Urca\

The closest parking to Sugarloaf Mountain is located near the cable car base station at Avenida Pasteur, 520 in the Urca neighborhood. While parking options are available, spaces can be limited, especially during busy times, so it’s recommended to arrive early or consider alternative transportation.

The neighborhood of Urca is small and has only one main street for access, so traffic can be congested during peak times

​Plan your visit to Sugarloaf Mountain

Getting to Sugarloaf Mountain on foot or hiking

Best For: Adventure and exercise

Travel time: 45 minutes to 1 hour from the base to Morro da Urca

If you enjoy hiking, you can start at the base and hike up to Morro da Urca, the first hill. This is about a 45-minute easy trail through the Brazilian rainforest. From Morro da Urca, you take the second cable car to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain. The trailhead is located inside a park at the north end of Praia Vermelha.

For experienced climbers, rock climbing routes are available but require guides and special equipment.

Cable car ride to Sugarloaf Mountain

Duration: Cable cars leave every 15/20 minutes

The ascent is made in two stages:

  1. From Praia Vermelha (base station) to Morro da Urca (220 meters above sea level)
  2. From Morro da Urca to the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain (396 meters)

The cable cars run every 15/20 minutes between 8:30am and 6:30pm. At both Morro da Urca and Sugarloaf summit, you will find shops, restaurants, and viewing platforms offering breathtaking 360-degree views of Rio de Janeiro, Guanabara Bay, Copacabana Beach, Christ the Redeemer statue, and the Atlantic Ocean

​More about Sugarloaf cable car opening hours

Frequently asked questions about directions to Sugarloaf Mountain

The easiest way is to take a taxi or rideshare directly to the cable car base station in Urca. You can also take the metro to Botafogo Station, then a short taxi or bus ride to Praia Vermelha, the cable car entrance.