Visiting Sugar Loaf Mountain
Named in the 1600s after the block of sugar it resembles, Rio de Janeiro's iconic Sugar Loaf Mountain is an attraction that no traveler to Brazil should miss. The mountain is an imposing cone-shaped granite rock that towers 1,300 feet above the water. From the summit, one can see Guanabara Bay, Copacabana, the city of Niteroi and spectacular tropical forests. The best way to experience Sugar Loaf is by way of a cable car ride, where the two-stage journey begins in Praia Vermelha, where the cable cars depart every 15 minutes. Morro da Urca is the journey's first stop, where impressive views of the coast can be seen. An amphitheater, restaurant, outdoor bar and beautiful nature trail are also located at this stop. Departing every 30 minutes from Morro da Urca, a larger cable car carries visitors to the summit of Sugar Loaf, from where some of Brazil's most outstanding scenery can be viewed. Here, a variety of majestic scenic overlooks are available where visitors can take photographs and enjoy the splendor of their surroundings. The attraction is located at Urca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. For more information, visit www.bondinho.com.br/mudancas_home/ingles.htm.
