Sugarloaf Mountain and Urca Hill Natural Monument, Natural monument in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Sugarloaf Mountain and Urca Hill Natural Monument is a protected area featuring two granite peaks that frame Guanabara Bay. The upper plateau provides sweeping views across Rio de Janeiro, and trails connect both peaks for those who want to explore further.
Portuguese colonists named the peaks in the 1500s, comparing their shape to clay molds used in the sugar trade that dominated the region. The cable car system opened in 1912 and transformed access to the summit.
The cable car has become part of how locals and visitors see Rio, featuring in countless photos and stories about the city. People gather here to watch sunsets and share the experience of seeing the bay from above.
The cable car system operates throughout the day and allows visitors to reach both peaks without strenuous hiking. Arriving early in the morning helps avoid crowds, especially on weekends when the site is busier.
The protected area contains one of the world's largest concentrations of rock climbing routes, with hundreds of established paths for climbers of all levels. These routes exist within the urban landscape and draw climbers from around the world.
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