Hike through the Favela of Vidigal
The Twin Hills hike is a must-do when you’re in Rio. It’s not only a relatively easy trek (about an hour), but it also starts from the heart of Vidigal, a favela right next to the tourist hotspots of Rio.
From the top of Morro Dois Irmãos, you’ll see one of the craziest contrasts in Rio – colorful hillside shacks representing the favela life, and right next to it, the super luxurious Sheraton Hotel and golden beaches of Rio. It’s like two totally different worlds, but they come together in one stunning view.
Morro Dois Irmãos – Twin Hills
Your hike starts at the top of Vidigal, one of Rio’s most well-known favelas. If you’re curious about favelas but feel weird about doing a favela tour, this hike is a great way to experience it firsthand, minus the awkwardness.
Vidigal is considered one of the safer favelas, thanks to the pacification efforts leading up to the World Cup. You’ll find a bunch of favela tours here, and even Airbnb rentals within the favela itself.
For more on favela tours – the good, the bad, and the ugly – click here.
The Hike
Start your adventure by hopping on a moto-taxi at the entrance of Vidigal (always a fun way to kick things off). After that, it’s about an hour of hiking to the top.
Heads up – the trail is shaded, which is nice, but that also means less breeze and more humidity. Try to start your hike early to avoid sweating buckets.
The trail itself is easy to follow, though it gets narrow in spots, so be ready to push a few leaves aside. Most of the hike is on solid ground, with only a few steep sections to keep things interesting.
Along the way, you’ll see a sign that says, “Where nature exists, life exists,” which is pretty spot on for this hike.
After about 30 minutes, you’ll reach a viewpoint where you can catch your breath. From here, you’ll see the favelas of Rocinha and Vidigal, plus Pedra Bonita and the surrounding forest.
When you reach the top, it’s time to kick back and soak in the view. You’ll see iconic spots like Botafogo, Leblon, and Corcovado with the Christ the Redeemer statue.
Once you’ve taken it all in and snapped your photos, head back down and grab some lunch or an açai in the favela. Chat with some locals, and maybe even stroll down to the beach below the Sheraton Hotel.
How to Get to Dois Irmãos (Twin Hills)
Take an Uber to the entrance of Favela Vidigal in Rio’s Zona Sul (Southern Zone), just past Leblon and right by the Sheraton Hotel.
Once there, hop on a moto-taxi for 5R$ or a van for 1-2R$ up to the favela’s football field, where the trail starts (just say “Dois Irmãos” and they’ll know what you mean).
On the way back, you can either grab another moto-taxi/van or walk down for about 15-20 minutes.
Important Tips:
- Go early – like 5 or 6 a.m. – to avoid the heat and the crowds.
- Bring water. Seriously.
- Try to get down before sunset. Hiking in the dark isn’t fun, trust me (I once broke a thumbnail on the way back).
