Pico do Itabirito, Protected mountain peak in Itabirito, Brazil.

Pico do Itabirito is a mountain ridge with iron ore deposits that rises to about 1,586 meters and is colored throughout by red-hued rock. The formation consists of a single massive hematite block that colors the entire landscape with intense reddish tones.

Pico do Itabirito is a natural heritage site protected by the Constitution of the State of Minas Gerais, promulgated on 21 September 1989. The monolith consists of a single block of compact hematite with high iron content, a reserve of about 94 million tonnes of ore.

The name Itabirito comes from the Tupi-Guarani and refers to the sharp, slab-like stone of the region, the same hematite that gives the peak its red face. The mountain is a state natural heritage site, listed under the Minas Gerais Constitution of 21 September 1989, and it remains a reference point for the municipality that shares its name.

Hikers should start from town on well-worn paths and look for local guides who can share information about trail conditions and the landscape. The ground becomes slippery when wet, so caution is needed after rain.

The mountain holds a striking amount of iron ore concentrated in a single ore block, which makes it a rare geological formation. This scale of concentrated ore deposits is quite unusual in the region.