Pico do Jaraguá, Mountain summit in São Paulo, Brazil.
Pico do Jaraguá is a mountain summit in São Paulo that rises 1,135 meters (3,724 feet) above sea level as part of the Serra da Cantareira range. From the peak, you can see across the entire metropolitan region and observe how the city spreads below.
Portuguese explorer Afonso Sardinha discovered gold deposits here in 1580, which sparked mining operations in the area. These mines continued to be worked through the nineteenth century, shaping the mountain's early story.
The name comes from the Tupi language meaning 'Lord of the Valley', reflecting the indigenous past of the region. The landscape today still carries traces of this connection between people and nature.
Two main hiking trails, Trilha da Bica and Trilha do Pai Zé, lead to the summit with different levels of difficulty. It helps to arrive early in the day to enjoy better light for views and a less crowded experience on the paths.
A 130-meter television transmission mast has stood at the peak since the 1960s, merging natural landscape with broadcasting infrastructure. This structure is visible from far away and has become part of the city's skyline over the decades.
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