Macaé de Cima Environmental Protection Area, Environmental Protection Area in Serra do Mar mountains, Brazil.

Macaé de Cima Environmental Protection Area is a forested reserve in the mountains of Rio de Janeiro that spans two municipalities with dense vegetation and varied terrain. The landscape displays Atlantic Forest characteristics across different elevations and slopes.

The area received official protection status in 2001 through a state decree aimed at preserving remaining Atlantic Forest. This decision came as the region faced growing pressures from deforestation and land conversion.

The Macaé River gives the area its name, and the RJ-142 highway between Nova Friburgo and Casimiro de Abreu runs through the reserve beside the river. Most waterfalls and river spots used for bathing lie on private land, so access depends on the owners' permission. Banana cultivation has expanded inside the reserve and is listed among the pressures on its forest.

Visitors can hike, observe birds, swim in rivers, and cycle through the area while respecting private land boundaries. It is best to prepare in advance and bring appropriate gear for mountain activities and changing weather.

The reserve protects the headwaters of four rivers: Macaé de Cima, Bonito, Das Flores and Santo Antônio, all within the Macaé River basin. Its altitude range, from 191 to 1,892 metres, makes it one of the highest protected areas of the Serra do Mar in Rio de Janeiro state.