Morro Dois Irmãos is one of the best hikes in Rio de Janeiro, boasting incredible views of Ipanema Beach and Rio’s cityscape from the summit.
Dois Irmãos in English translates to Two Brothers which refers to the two iconic mountain peaks at this location.
One of the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro is to get high above the city for that postcard view and perfect Instagram shot.
This hike goes above and beyond and I guarantee when you reach the summit after a short 45 minutes of hiking, it will exceed your expectations!
I have put together this complete guide for hiking Morro Dois Irmãos including how to get there, things to know before you go and what to expect when you’re there.
WHERE IS MORRO DOIS IRMÃOS?
The trailhead to Dois Irmãos Rio is located at the very top of the hill in the Vidigal neighborhood.
Click here to see the location on Google maps.
HOW TO GET HERE
Vidigal is about a ten-minute drive from Ipanema beach and there are local buses that can be hailed down along the esplanade to reach the entrance to Vidigal.
From here I recommend jumping on the back of a motorbike taxi that will take you to the trailhead located at the top of the hill which costs only 5 Reals each way.
Alternatively, you can jump in a taxi or an Uber to take you to the entrance of Vidigal, though I don’t recommend taking a car to the top of the hill as the streets are very narrow and always congested.
It’s much better to switch out of the taxi or Uber and take one of the moto-taxis to the starting point of the hike.
All you have to say to the moto-taxi driver is ‘Dois Irmãos’ or ‘a Trilha’ which means trail in Portuguese and they will know where to drop you.
Before you go, note that Vidigal is one of the many favelas in Rio de Janeiro and is known to be a pretty rough area.
I would only recommend doing the hike during daylight hours to ensure your safety.
From my personal experience, I didn’t feel unsafe or threatened as I didn’t actually have to walk through the favelas as the moto-taxi took me right to where the hike begins.
The trailhead begins right next to a football court at the top of the hill in Vidigial. See the map below for the precise entry point.
See All → Tours in Rio de Janeiro
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HIKING MORRO DOIS IRMÃOS
The trail to the summit of Dois Iramãos Rio de Janeiro is not an easy one nor is it a hard one. It’s quite flat in some areas and it can be steep, slippery, and muddy in others.
The hike will take the average person at least forty-five minutes to reach the top and the first three-quarters of the trail are shaded under the forest canopy.
There are a number of awesome viewpoints on the left-hand side of the trail as you near the top which is well worth stopping at to take in the extensive views and to rehydrate.
It does get hot and humid so pack plenty of water as there won’t be anywhere to buy any once you begin the hike.
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THE SUMMIT OF DOIS IRMÃOS
The trail emerges out from underneath the forest canopy and the blistering sun strikes as a bit of a shock.
Continue walking up the ridge for about ten minutes across the bare rock and through the shrub until you reach the summit – Two Brothers Rio peak.
At the summit, you’ll be greeted with one of the best 360-degree panoramic viewpoints you’ve ever seen!
A large sloping rockface at the top is where to take the best pictures from, though do be careful because it’s a long way down, 533m to be exact.
Enjoy extensive views of Rio de Janeiro, its beaches, and the surrounding mountain ranges before you make the hike back to Vidigal.
The way down is along the exact same trail and it takes around thirty minutes to reach the start of the trailhead.
If you can’t spot any moto-taxis right away, head down the hill along the main road until you spot one and hail them down for a ride back to the bottom of the hill.
Again, the cost of a moto-taxi is 5 Reals.
Must Read → 2 Days In Rio Itinerary
WHERE TO STAY IN RIO
Rio de Janeiro has thousands of accommodation options to choose from, so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay to fit the needs of budget backpackers, luxury travelers, and everyone in between.
See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend:
Luxury: Sofitel Rio de Janeiro Ipanema
This luxury 5-star hotel is located right on the edge of Rio’s most famous beach, Ipanema.
The Sofitel features an outdoor pool, sauna, spa, and gym, all with panoramic views of the ocean and Rio’s skyline.
The rooms are spacious, stylish, and comfortable with free wifi, and breakfast is included.
Mid Range: Atlantis Copacabana Hotel
A 3-star hotel centrally located next to Copacabana beach and Ipanema beach in Rio de Janeiro. Atlantis features an outdoor terrace and a rooftop swimming pool.
Free wifi is available at the hotel and a buffet breakfast is included. Each room offers cable TV, spacious living, air-conditioning, and private bathrooms.
Budget: Solar Hostel Beach Copacabana
Rated one of the best hostels in Rio, ideally located at Copacabana beach. This budget hostel offers dorm rooms and private rooms, perfect for solo backpackers, friends, and couples.
There is a shared kitchen at this property and free wifi. For $8 a night, it’s pretty hard to beat!
FOR ALL OTHER PLACES TO STAY IN RIO, SEARCH ON BOOKING.COM
WHAT TO PACK FOR RIO
When visiting Rio, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you:
Must-Have Travel Essentials
Hidden Money Wallet
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Reusable Water Bottle
The GRAYL GeoPress is the best reusable bottle that allows you to purify water from anywhere!
Travel Backpack
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Quick-Dry Travel Towel
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Portable PowerBank
Keep your phone, laptop, and accessories charged while you’re on the go with the Anker PowerBank!
MORE CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA TRAVEL GUIDES
If you are planning a trip to Central and South America, be sure to check out my other travel guides below that you might find useful while crafting together your itinerary:
- Mexico: 4 Week Mexico Itinerary
- Guatemala: 2 Week Guatemala Itinerary
- Cuba: 10 Day Cuba Itinerary
- Peru: Backpacking Peru – 3 Week Itinerary
- Bolivia: Things To Do In Bolivia
- Brazil: 2 Day Rio De Janeiro Itinerary
- Argentina: Things To Do In Argentina
- Chile: Things To Do In Chile
FINAL THOUGHTS – TWO BROTHERS RIO
During the few days that I spent in Rio de Janeiro, I have to say that hiking the Two Brothers Mountain Peak at Morro Dois Irmãos was the highlight of my trip!
There is no view of Rio de Janeiro that can compare to the one at the summit of Dois Irmãos, in my opinion, so if you have the time and love an outdoor adventure, be sure to add this epic location to your list of things to do in Rio!
As I mentioned earlier, you have to pass through the Vidigal favela to get to Morro Dois Irmãos, though please don’t let this deter you from visiting.
I didn’t see nor experience anything sketchy happening in the area and I am sure you will be just fine when visiting Dois Irmãos during daylight hours.
If you have any questions about this hike, please leave me a comment below this post and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.
TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!
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THANKS FOR READING
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