🥾 Ilha Grande Trail Guide: The Best Hikes for Nature Lovers
- Marcelo Alvim Marvim Click
- Aug 20
- 3 min read
Explore the best of ecotourism with this comprehensive guide to Ilha Grande's trails. Discover itineraries for all levels, essential tips, and how to prepare for a safe nature experience.
🔗 Navigation Menu
1. Introduction
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1. Introduction
Ilha Grande is a true natural sanctuary surrounded by lush trails, waterfalls, viewpoints, and hidden beaches. For those who love hiking and connecting with nature, the island offers over 100 km of official trails, with varying levels of difficulty.
> In this article, you'll discover the most famous, safe, and incredible trails on Ilha Grande — with practical tips for an unforgettable experience.
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2. How the trails work in Ilha Grande
Ilha Grande has a network of trails marked with numerical identification (T1, T2, T13, etc.), connecting beaches, villages and historical sites.
👣 General characteristics:
Most are free and publicly accessible.
Some trails require authorization or an accredited guide.
The main departures are from Vila do Abraão, Provetá, Bananal and Dois Rios
📍 Use offline navigation apps like Wikiloc or download the trail map to find your way around safely.
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3. Equipment and precautions before starting
✅ Basic checklist:
Comfortable sneakers or hiking boots
Light backpack with water (minimum 1.5L), snacks and sunscreen
Cap/hat and repellent
Cell phone signal is scarce: bring a physical map or guidebook
Avoid starting trails after 2pm, especially long ones
> ⚠️ Respect your physical limits. Trails like Pico do Papagaio require fitness and planning.
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4. Lopes Mendes Beach Trail (T10)
🟢 Level: Easy to Moderate
⏱️ Duration: 1h30 (one way)
📍 Departure: Vila do Abraão → Palmas → Pouso → Lopes Mendes
Considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, the trail to Lopes Mendes is ideal for beginners. The hike crosses stretches of Atlantic Forest and leads to a cinematic view.
🏝️ Highlights:
Deserted beach, no facilities — bring snacks and water
Possible return by taxi boat from Pouso
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5. Feiticeira Waterfall Trail (T1)
🟢 Level: Easy
⏱️ Duration: 40 to 60 min (one way)
📍 Departure: Vila do Abraão → Aqueduct → Feiticeira
A peaceful trail that combines history and nature. Along the way, you'll pass ruins of a colonial aqueduct and end at a beautiful 15-meter waterfall.
💧 Extra tip:
Continue to Praia da Feiticeira (+20 min) and relax with a sea view.
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6. Trail to Two Rivers (T14)
🟡 Level: Moderate
⏱️ Duration: 2h30 (one way)
📍 Departure: Abraão Village → Two Rivers Village
A hike along an old dirt road, with gentle climbs and incredible views. Ideal for those seeking unique landscapes and history—the former Cândido Mendes prison is at the end of the trail.
🏛️ What to see:
Prison Museum
Abandoned village
Long, deserted beach
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7. Papagaio Peak Trail (T13)
🔴 Level: Hard
⏱️ Duration: 3h to 4h (uphill)
📍 Departure: Abraão Village
Ilha Grande's most challenging trail leads to the island's highest point, at 982 meters. The climb is steep and requires physical fitness, but the panoramic view from the top is surreal.
🌄 Pro tip:
Climb with a local guide at sunrise—it's a mystical and unforgettable experience.
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8. Aventureiro Beach Trail (via Provetá)
🔴 Level: Hard
⏱️ Duration: 3h to 4h (one way)
📍 Departure: Provetá → Morro da Espia → Aventureiro
An intense hike with climbs and slippery sections, but which ends at one of Brazil's most iconic beaches, with the famous "crooked coconut tree."
🌿 Recommended:
Experienced local guides
Avoid rainy days
Plan an overnight stay in Aventureiro
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9. Hiking tips with a local guide
👣 For trails such as Pico do Papagaio, Aventureiro or long crossings (Abraão → Bananal), it is highly recommended to hire a certified local guide.
📞 Book your guide here →
✅ Tradition + safety + personalized itineraries
📍 Contact us via WhatsApp by clicking here →
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10. Conclusion + Download trail map
Ilha Grande is a living, breathing natural park. Its trails reveal hidden waterfalls, secret beaches, and memories of colonial Brazil. Hiking them is more than just exercise—it's a journey back in time surrounded by the purest nature of Rio de Janeiro's coastline.
🎁 Download your complete trail map now:
📍 Use offline during your trails!
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