What are the Highest Peaks in Brazil?

If you love nature and adventure, planning to visit the highest peaks in Brazil is a great idea to enjoy the country. However, even though Brazil is famous for its breathtaking scenery and outstanding nature, it is not notorious for its high-altitude locations like other countries in South America. In fact, standing at 2,993 meters (9,819 feet) above sea level, Pico da Neblina is the highest mountain in Brazil.

Read more: Top 7 Hikes in Rio de Janeiro: Fun and Adventure!

What are the highest peaks in Brazil? Let’s check the 10 highest mountains in Brazil:

1. Pico da Neblina

As mentioned before, Pico da Neblina is the highest peak in Brazil. It stands at 2,993 meters above sea level as part of Serra do Imeri, a sandstone massif in the Amazon.

Pico da Neblina was only recognized as the highest peak in Brazil recently, due to many factors. One of the reasons was that because the peak is located right on the Brazil-Venezuela border, it was difficult to precise its legal territory.

Moreover, Pico da Neblina is only 687 meters away from Pico 31 de Março, the second-highest peak in Brazil.

It takes 3 to 4 days of intense hiking to reach the peak, having to deal with high humid conditions. There is a flag at the top of the mountain indicating the highest point.

2. Pico 31 de Março

Pico 31 de Março is only 687 meters away from Pico da Neblina. It stands at 2,974 meters above sea level, and it is also part of Serra do Imeri. Most people hike to Pico 31 de Março first before heading to Pico da Neblina on the same expedition.

This peak is also known as Pico Phelps. It has restricted access and demands a special permit for people who want to reach it. Furthermore, hikers also need to hire a professional guide to go along.

3. Pico da Bandeira

Standing at 2,891 meters high, Pico da Bandeira is located on the border of Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais states. There are two routes available to reach the top. It is only 5 kilometers of hiking from the Espírito Santo side and 6,3 kilometers from the Minas Gerais side.

The hike is relatively easy and some people choose to do it in the middle of the night so they can see the sunrise from the top.

Pico da Bandeira is the main attraction of Caparaó National Park, a very representative area of Atlantic Forest.

4. Pico do Calçado

Pico do Calçado is less than 1 kilometer away from Pico da Bandeira and is also located at Caparaó National Park. It stands at 2,849 meters above sea level. Nonetheless, the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics considers Pico do Calçado a secondary summit of Pico da Bandeira and not a separate mountain.

To reach Pico do Calçado, you can go to Pico da Bandeira and continue along on a 40-minute hiking trail.

5. Pedra da Mina

Pedra da Mina is one of the highest peaks in Brazil and stands at 2,798 meters above sea level. It is located on the border of São Paulo and Minas Gerais state, at Serra da Mantiqueira, one of the most important mountain ranges in Brazil.

The hike to the peak of Pedra da Mina takes 8 hours on a relatively challenging trail. It is recommended that you are in good shape to join it and hire an experienced guide.

6. Pico das Agulhas Negras

Pico das Agulhas Negras is the sixth-highest peak in Brazil. It is located at Itatiaia National Park, on the border of the states of Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais.

The trail to the peak takes approximately 5 hours of hiking and climbing. Pico das Agulhas Negras (Black Needles Peak in English) got this name because of the sharp dark rocks on its top.

Fun fact: Occasionally, snowing occur at Pico das Agulhas Negras. In June 1985, statistics registered a record of 1 meter (39 inches) of snow on the mountain.

7. Pico do Cristal

Standing at 2,769 meters high, Pico do Cristal is located at Caparaó National Park, alongside Pico da Bandeira and Pico do Calçado.

To reach the peak, you need to cross flooded fields and natural lagoons, in addition to climbing steep rocks. These rocks are made up of quartz crystals, hence the name of the mountain.

You can use the trail to Pico da Bandeira and head west to reach Pico do Cristal.

8. Monte Roraima

Monte Roraima is an incredible beautiful plateau in Brazil. It is located at the border of Brazil, Guiana, and Venezuela. It is a flat-topped mountain surrounded by cliffs 400 to 1,000 meters high. Mount Roraima’s highest peak on the Brazilian side, however, stands at 2,734 meters above sea level. Nevertheless, access from the Brazilian side is more difficult as it is an isolated and sparsely populated area.

Usually, people who get to the top of Mount Roraima stay there for a few days camping and enjoying the view and scenery. Over there, there are also waterfalls and natural lakes you can enjoy.

9. Morro do Couto

Morro do Couto is also located at Itatiaia National Park. In fact, from the top, visitors have an incredible view of Pico das Agulhas Negras.

From the gate of Itatiaia National Park, the trail to Morro do Couto is easy and you can reach the top in only 2 hours. Because of that, it is one of the most visited hiking spots at the park.

If you are an inexperienced hiker, reaching Morro do Couto might be a good option if you want to experience visiting one of the highest peaks in Brazil.

10. Pedra do Sino de Itatiaia

People might get confused because there is also another peak called Pedra do Sino located at Serra dos Órgãos in Teresópolis. However, this one is located at Itatiaia National Park, just like Morro do Couto and Pico das Agulhas Negras.

Standing at 2,670 meters above sea level, Pedra do Sino de Itatiaia is the last mountain in the list of the 10 highest peaks in Brazil.

The trail to the top is 18 kilometers long and is the longest one-day trail in the park.

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Amanda Ennes (205 Posts)