Rio de Janeiro Easy Forest Bike Ride

Our experience begins at the Paineiras Visitor's Centre where you can learn about the history of the Tijuca Forest and it's huge array of plant and animal species. You'll get a briefing about the ride and receive your bike - a quality mountain bike - and helmet. Our ride takes us along a car-free section of forest road with small waterfalls cascading down beside us. While we can't guarantee encounters with animals, we have been fortunate on our rides to have close-ups with sloths, monkeys, armadilos, quatis, toucans and many other bird species. The ride has great views of Christ the Redeemer and the city. Our guide will be riding a tricycle that can carry your bike, giving us flexibility with the end point of the ride. Our ride is very much about enjoying the forest at a relaxed pace!

1. 1

   Centro De Visitantes Paineiras

   15 min

   The visitor's centre is located in a former luxury hotel and houses an interactive display about the Tijuca Forest, a gift store and cafe. This is our meeting point where we'll do our pre-ride orientation.

2. 2

   Floresta da Tijuca

   2 hours

   The Tijuca Forest holds many titles - it is the world's biggest urban rainforest, the first reforestation project in the Americas, and Latin America's first protected area. It is home to many rare and endangered species. Our ride takes us along a car-free section of forest road with small waterfalls cascading down beside us. The ride has great views of Christ the Redeemer and the city. It's a fairly easy ride with one hill that can be walked up if you don't feel like pedalling. We'll hear many birds and be on the lookout for the many species that we have encountered on our rides, from giant earthworms to monkeys, toucans, armadilos and sloths.

3. 3

   Alto da Boa Vista

   15 min

   This is one optional addition to our ride. If all members of the group feel like continuing to Alto da Boa Vista, we continue through the forest for another hour to this historic neighbourhood. You'll be able to take an Uber or taxi home from here, or enjoy a snack or meal.

4. 4

   Cosme Velho

   15 min

   Another optional finishing point for our ride is the leafy neighbourhood of Cosme Velho. Here you have the option of visiting a local restaurant or the historic home and art collection of Roberto Marinho, who created Brazil's biggest media empire.

• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.