Sugarloaf Cable Car, Aerial lift in Urca, Brazil.
The Sugarloaf Cable Car is an aerial lift system that rises from Praia Vermelha through two stages to reach the summit high above the city. The route passes through a middle station before continuing upward, allowing visitors to see Rio's harbor, beaches, and mountains from all sides during the journey.
The cable car system opened to the public in 1912 after several years of construction, making the mountaintop accessible to visitors for the first time. Since then it has been updated and improved while remaining one of South America's oldest cable transportation systems.
The cable car line has become a symbol of Rio and appears regularly in postcards and travel photographs, reflecting how visitors from around the world connect with the city through this ride.
The best time to ride is early morning or late afternoon when light is good for photos and crowds are lighter. Sturdy shoes are a good idea since the summit area has rocky ground and uneven walking paths.
In 1951 a cable snapped while the lift was operating, leaving passengers stranded high above the city until a rescue operation brought them safely back down. This incident made the system's safety procedures and design features known around the world.
Location: Rio de Janeiro
Location: Urca
Location: Praia Vermelha
Location: South Zone of Rio de Janeiro
Inception: 1912
Official opening: October 27, 1912
Website: http://bondinho.com.br
GPS coordinates: -22.95561,-43.16685
Latest update: December 19, 2025 21:56
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