Corcovado

Corcovado-Rio

Many argue whether the view is better from Pao de Azucar or Corcovado. They both offer excellent views of Rio but at 2,300ft. Corcovado is nearly twice as high and actually looks down on Pao de Azucar (Sugar Loaf). The name Corcovado means Hunchback and aptly refers to the mountains shape. It also makes climbing very difficult.

On the centennial of Brazil's independence from Portugal in 1921, it was decided to place a statue on top of the mountain. A team of French artists, headed by Paul Landowski, were commissioned to erect a giant statue of Christ with his arms open as if embracing the city of Rio itself. Today, people joke that he is getting ready to clap for his favorite Samba school or soccer team. The statue took 10 years to build and was inaugurated in 1931. Christo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) is over 100 ft tall, sits on a 20ft pedestal and weighs over 700 tons.
At night, a powerful lighting system transforms the statue and mountain top into a brilliant beacon visible for miles.

There are two ways to reach the mountaintop;

By cogwheel train that travels through thick vegetation at a ridiculous angle of ascent. You will get great views of Ipanema and Leblon as well as see hundreds of birds and butterflies along its path. You will also see strange oblong spiked objects that look like watermelons hanging from ropes in the trees. They are called Jaca or jackfruit. These grow all over the country, much like weeds and are eaten by many people in rural areas.

The trains leave every 30 minutes from Cosme Velho Station and cost around R$5. It takes approximately 17 minutes to make the 3 mile ascent. Late afternoon trains are most popular for visitors wanting to watch the sunsets over the city. Be prepared for long lines on weekends and late afternoons.

You can also drive up the mountain through a winding road in Foresta da Tijuca. Driving through the forest is free but you pay R$5 per person and R$5 to park once you reach the top.

Whether you go by train, tour bus, taxi or private car, you will still have a series of steep zigzagging stairs before you reach the summit where the statue is located. (There are no wheelchair ramps or elevators.) There are little cafes for quick refreshment and stores selling film, souvenirs and other memorabilia of Christo.

Once you reach the top, you can view all of Rio. From Zona Norte, to Centro to the Zona Sul. You will get great photos of the city, the beaches and the mountainous countryside. Telephoto lenses are recommended for detailed photos of local points of interests as standard 35mm lenses will generally only capture remote images in a distance.

Plan at least 3-4 hours for the visit.