Mirante do Picão

“Is that a giant ‘X’ carved into the rock?” you might ask, squinting at Mirante do Picão. Well, it kind of is. Mirante do Picão, located at the tip of a rocky peninsula, isn’t just a stunning viewpoint. It’s also home to the Cânion de Fora, a small canyon with a unique feature. Two large diagonal cracks intersect on its scalable wall, creating a massive “X” shape. From the top of Mirante do Picão, the view is breathtaking. You can see the beaches of Canto and Barra de Guaratiba, the Restinga da Marambaia, and Sepetiba Bay with its rich mangroves. Originally a haven for fishermen who praise its abundant fishing, Mirante do Picão is now a popular spot for climbers. But even if you’re not into scaling rocks, it’s a beautiful place for a leisurely stroll. The area offers a variety of charming nooks and crannies to explore. Besides the climbing routes, there are countless boulders scattered along the crest and grouped in other spots, perfect for bouldering. This potential remains largely unexplored. The Mirante do Picão area is constantly shaped by the sea. While it protects the beaches from waves, the southern side, where most of the climbing takes place, is often battered by the surf. So, calm seas are essential for climbing here. Getting to Mirante do Picão is an adventure in itself. A little way past the end of Barra de Guaratiba Beach, you’ll find Rua Parlon Siqueira. The street starts as a steep incline, then continues with gentle ups and downs until a sharp right turn. Here, a trail begins that leads to Praia do Perigoso, Pico do Perigoso, and Falésia dos Orixás. If you continue on Rua Parlon Siqueira, it narrows and eventually ends right at the top of Mirante do Picão, where a stone slab serves as a makeshift parking area. A well-marked main trail starts on the other side of the slab. It follows the crest and ends at the cliffs at the very tip of Mirante do Picão, directly facing the small Ilha do Frade with its prominent boulder. This trail serves as the central access point for all the other routes to the canyons and individual walls.