In short
- Take a taxi or bus to Praça do Vidigal at the base.
- Ride a mototaxi or van for 10-15 minutes to Vila Olímpica.
- Walk to the trail entrance booth behind the soccer field.
In this article
Getting to the trail requires navigating local transport. You cannot drive a private vehicle directly to the hike. Most visitors take a car or bus to the neighborhood entrance, then switch to local community transport.
How do I reach the base of Vidigal?
Take a taxi, ride-share, or local bus to Praça do Vidigal.
Most visitors from Copacabana or Ipanema arrive by taxi. You can also catch a local bus heading along Avenida Niemeyer toward São Conrado.
How do you reach the start of the hike from the base?
Hire a mototaxi or kombi van at Praça do Vidigal.
The ride up takes 10 to 15 minutes. It costs R$10 to R$15 each way. Drivers will drop you at the Vila Olímpica soccer field near the top. Hold on tight to the back bar if taking a mototaxi.
Can you walk up the favela to the trailhead?
You can walk, but it adds 45 to 60 minutes to your trek.
The roads in Vidigal are steep and confusing. Taking local transport saves your energy for the actual 1.5 km mountain hike.
Do hiking tours include transport?
Many guided tours provide hotel pickup and transport through Vidigal.
Booking a combo tour simplifies the logistics. This helps if you are uncomfortable navigating the favela independently. Tour prices start from around $40 USD, though platform prices change often.
Where exactly does the trail start?
The official entrance is just behind the Vila Olímpica sports complex.
When you exit your mototaxi or van, look for the trail entrance booth. Local community members collect a R$10 entry fee in cash here. Mobile signals are unreliable, so bring small bills.
Can I drive a rental car to the trailhead?
Do not attempt to drive your own vehicle into the favela.
The streets are narrow, steep, and busy. There is no public parking at the trailhead. Park elsewhere in Rio and take a taxi or Uber to Praça do Vidigal instead.
Questions travellers ask
How much is the mototaxi in Vidigal?
The mototaxi costs R$10 to R$15 each way from Praça do Vidigal to the Vila Olímpica soccer field. Agree on the price before getting on.
Do you have to pay to hike Morro Dois Irmaos?
Yes. There is a R$10 informal community fee collected in cash at the start of the trail. You also pay for your transport up the hill.
How do you get to Morro Dois Irmaos?
Take a taxi or bus to Praça do Vidigal. Then, take a 10-15 minute mototaxi or van ride to the trailhead at the top of the community.
