TRILHA DO MIRANTE DA CASCATINHA - Floresta da Tijuca: o que fazer no Rio de Janeiro

We returned to one of the most special places in Tijuca National Park: the Cascatinha Viewpoint, which recently reopened after a long period closed for renovations. The last time we had climbed up there was in 2016, when the viewpoint's structure was still entirely made of wood. Today, in 2024, we find a renewed look—with reinforced masonry and new wood—but the same spectacular view that has always enchanted us. The viewpoint was closed from 2021 until the end of 2024, and now, reopened, it has once again become one of the most beautiful (and historic) spots in the park. From up there, we have a panoramic view of the Taunay Waterfall, the Andaraí Maior Hill, the Pedra do Conde, and the imposing Tijuca Peak. And this viewpoint has been enchanting for a long time: it was once a point of inspiration for artists invited by Baron Taunay, who climbed up there to paint the exuberance of the forest. Our starting point was the park's internal parking lot, right next to the Cascatinha waterfall itself. But before starting the trail, we stopped at Afonso Viseu Square to show how easy it is to get there by bus: lines 301, 302, and 345 stop there. From there, it's only 150 meters to the entrance of the Estudante trail, which is the initial path to the beginning of the main trail to the Cascatinha viewpoint. Another 150 meters and that's it: the climb begins! The Cascatinha viewpoint trail is short, 700 meters long, but it's steep the whole time. For those who prefer a gentler route, there are two other access options: one starting from the Mayrink Chapel, about 1.4 km long, and another, 1.1 km long, that starts near the Visitor Center, close to the Recanto dos Pintores and the Ponte Pênsil trail. During the ascent, the forest closes in, and the sounds of the city are replaced by birdsong. And from up there, the reward is a view that never gets old, even with the cloudy weather we experienced that day. We even managed to take some drone footage, which perfectly captured the grandeur of the place. Despite the recent renovation, we noticed that the viewpoint was already in need of some repairs—some loose wood and broken benches. But the park has already begun to mark and manage the area to preserve the site and maintain safety. On the descent, we followed the same path and took the opportunity to visit the Taunay Waterfall up close. You can get quite close to the waterfall (without going in, as swimming is prohibited at this point), but just below there's a great spot: a tranquil pool with shallow water, perfect for cooling off and taking children. The place has a picnic atmosphere and tends to get quite busy on weekends. One of the coolest spots is the arch of the bridge that crosses over the Cascatinha waterfall—a natural frame that makes for incredible photos. And that's how our day in Tijuca National Park went: climbing, exploring, reliving memories, and discovering a renovated Cascatinha viewpoint, but with the same enchanting energy as always. 🌎 MY BLOG: https://www.vamostrilhar.com.br 🔥 MY SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram -   / vamostrilhar   Facebook -   / vamostrilhar   Pinterest -   / vamostrilhar   Tiktok -   / vamostrilhar   💚 SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHANNEL HERE: http://bit.ly/24Q5stg 00:00 Introduction 00:12 Afonso Viseu Square 01:43 Student Trail 02:17 Ascent to the Cascatinha Viewpoint 03:56 The Cascatinha Viewpoint 07:07 Descent from the trail 07:58 Taunay Waterfall 08:54 Cascatinha Pool Taunay 09:52 Other entrances to the Cascatinha Viewpoint trail 11:03 Closing