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Parque Natural Municipal da Catacumba is a park in Lagoa.
It’s not one of the most popular parks in Rio de Janeiro, but it’s worth a visit if you are in the area. There are a number of walking paths that wind through the lush jungle. The paths lead to a few viewpoints with scenic views of Rio. It’s a good idea to combine a hike in Parque Natural Municipal da Catacumba with a walk around Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, or at least around part of it.
Read on to more about Parque Natural Municipal da Catacumba.
1. Parque Natural Municipal da Catacumba: Basics
Parque Natural Municipal da Catacumba is not popular among foreign tourists. The views are not as epic as from more popular viewpoints, such as Urca Hill, Surgarloaf and Christ the Redeemer. But it’s worth a visit if you are in the area, and want to go on a walk.
If you are exploring or living in Lagoa, Rio de Janeiro neighbourhood located around the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, visit Parque Natural Municipal da Catacumba too. There’s a trail named “Trilha da Catacumba” which leads to two viewpoints: Mirante do Urubu and Mirante do Sacopa.
MY ROUTE:
TIME AND DISTANCE: 30 minutes; 1.4 miles (2.22 km)
It’s a short and easy hike. The elevation gain is not significant, as the hills are not too high. There are two viewpoints (Mirante do Urubu and Mirante do Sacopa), and it took us about half an hour to visit both of them.
2. How to Get To Parque Natural Municipal Da Catacumba?
It’s very easy to get to Parque Natural Municipal da Catacumba.
Cantagalo metro station is located nearby. From Cantagalo, it’s just a 15-minute walk to the park. It’s a safe neighbourhood, so you don’t have to worry. It’s very easy to get to the park from Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon and Botafogo. Just take the metro to Cantagalo, and then go on a short walk.
Alternatively, you can take an Uber or “regular taxi”.
3. Hiking in Parque Natural Municipal Da Catacumba: Our Experience
We went to explore the Lagoa neighbourhood in Rio.
We didn’t expect much, but in the end we ended up really liking the area. It’s one of the safest and most affluent areas of Rio de Janeiro. The streets are well-kept, and there are beautiful, flower-filled trees in front of the residential buildings.
The Lagoa neighbourhood is home to Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon and Parque Municipal Catacumba. We went to Parque Natural Municipal da Catacumba first.
It’s not a big park. At the park entrance, there are a few sculptures. The park also offers zipline rides and a climbing wall. A cobblestone path leads to trailhead. There is a trail that leads to two viewpoints. The hill is not high, so it’s not a strenuous hike. First we visited Mirante do Sacopa. After that we walked to Mirante do Urubu. The two viewpoints are located very close – a few minutes away one from another. The trail was rather heavily trafficked, even though it was a working day. Some sections of the trail are steep.
Mirante do Sacopa offers views of Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, Dois Irmãos and Pedra da Gávea. From Mirante do Urubu you can see Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon with Corcovado mountain and Christ the Redeemer in the distance. Mirante do Urubu also offers wonderful views of Pedra do Maroca.
After we finished walking in Parque Municipal Catacumba, we went to explore the Lagoon. There’s a path around it, and along it people run, walk and ride bikes. It’s a nice place for an exercise. On the shores of lagoon, you’ll find small cafes and restaurants as well as stalls selling food, drinks and snacks. The path is lined with trees, so you have shade most of the time.
A few photos from our Parque Natural Municipal da Catacumba walk:
Have you been to Rio de Janeiro? Did you go hiking in Parque Natural Municipal da Catacumba? If yes, what was your experience? Have you done any other hikes in Rio de Janeiro?
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