Viewpoints and trails

The Dois Irmãos trail

The trail climbs Irmão Maior, the taller of the two Dois Irmãos peaks. It starts at the northwest corner of the soccer field beside Vila Olímpica Adílio, at the top of Vidigal, and runs about 1.3 to 1.5 km each way with roughly 330 m of climbing. Most people take about an hour up and a little less coming down.

It is rated easy to moderate, but some rocky stretches near the top are exposed and have no railings, so wear shoes with grip and watch your footing. There is no water on the trail: bring water, sunscreen and insect repellent.

Residents collect a contribution at the field, R$10 per person in a guide updated in December 2025; one tour operator describes it as going to the residents' association. You do not need a guide, but local guides and tour companies offer the walk, and Bruno can put you in touch with one.

Go in daylight, early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the midday sun, and be back down before dark. To reach the trailhead, take a moto-taxi to the Vila Olímpica, about five minutes from the bottom of the hill.

Wilfredor, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Dois Irmãos summit

From the top the view runs east over Leblon, Ipanema and the Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon, and west over Rocinha, São Conrado and Pedra da Gávea. On clear days you can pick out Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado and Sugarloaf beyond the lagoon.

The summit is open rock. Keep back from the edges, especially with children, and allow time to come down while there is still light.

Wilfredor, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The terraces at the Arvrão

The top of the main road, the area called the Arvrão, is where Bar da Laje and Mirante do Arvrão have their terraces. Both look over the houses of Vidigal to Leblon and Ipanema. Ordering a drink is the price of the view; see food and drink for both.

Mirante do Leblon

Mirante do Leblon is a public viewpoint on Avenida Niemeyer, at the far end of Leblon beach: a deck on the rocks where the avenue begins, looking back along Leblon and Ipanema. It is free and busy at sunset.

It is about 900 m from the Vidigal entrance along the avenue. In December 2025 the city began removing an oversized kiosk there and left only a standard-size one, so what is on sale may have changed.

Parque Ecológico Sitiê

Parque Sitiê is a community-run ecological park on a Vidigal hillside that used to be an informal garbage dump. Residents began clearing it in 2005, led by the Vidigal musician Mauro Quintanilha with Paulo César de Almeida, and it has been recognized as Rio's first agroforest.

Planters are made from reused tires, sinks and toilets, and there is a vegetable garden with fruit trees. The park also has an entrance to the Caminho do Céu path toward Morro Dois Irmãos. Access has varied over the years; check its Instagram, @oparquesitie, before you go.