Cantareira State Park Big Rock Hike
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore Cantareira State Park's lush trails
- Reach the panoramic Big Rock summit
- Enjoy guided insights into local flora and fauna
- Optional pick-up from São Paulo's international airport
- Experience a refreshing escape from city life
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Guided hike to Big Rock
- Round-trip transportation from São Paulo
- Optional airport pick-up
- Meals and personal expenses
Itinerary
We meet you at your hotel and depart to the north of the city. After about fifty minutes of travel, we enter Cantareira State Park, a natural reserve that extends over more than 7,900 hectares: the equivalent of 8000 football fields!
Once we're among the Cantareira mountain range, we begin our hiking itinerary leading us to reach Pedra Grande. Along the way, we will be able to contemplate the lush natural landscape and small waterfalls, as well as observe the animals that live in the park. Keep your eyes peeled and, with a little luck, you will spot some monkeys! After an hour and a half of walking, we will make a stop on the shore of Lago das Carpas, where we can regain strength and relax in the midst of nature.
We will continue our journey for another thirty minutes, until we reach Pedra Grande, a viewpoint located at 1010 meters above sea level from which we will enjoy incredible views of São Paulo and the valleys surrounding the city. The contrast between the metropolis and the surrounding forest is truly amazing!
Finish off with a fantastic lunch at "O Velhão” restaurant complex (not included) and sip the famous cachaça, the Brazilian national drink of which the restaurant offers many varieties.
Our experienced guides are local experts on the regions ecology and wildlife with an unmatched passion for the area. On the way back to São Paulo, you will have the opportunity to ask the guide for more information about the flora and fauna, but also about the history of this area. We conclude the activity by taking you back to the starting point in São Paulo.
Important information
Know before you book
- Optional airport pick-up is available; please provide flight details in advance.
- The hike is suitable for participants with a moderate level of fitness.
- Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult; please inform us of any young participants.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable hiking attire and sturdy footwear suitable for uneven terrain.
- Bring a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated throughout the hike.
- Consider packing a light snack for the journey, as food options may be limited along the trail.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Traveler reviews
Cantareira State Park
We had an amazing experience with Luis. He was an incredibly knowledgeable and passionate guide, but also a truly wonderful human being. He showed us so much, shared great insights, and made every moment enjoyable. We had a really great time with him and felt very well taken care of throughout the tour. We are extremely grateful for this experience and would highly recommend him to anyone. Thank you! We will come back! 🫶🏼🇧🇷🌎
Highly recommended Rain Forest Walk
This was a fantastic day walking the rainforest and seeing the expansive views back over Sao Paulo. Amazing. It is only a short car ride out of the city but you felt miles away. All of the arrangements on the day worked really well with hotel pick-up and drop-off. Communication throughout was really good. Denis, our guide for the day, was absolutely brilliant. Really friendly, great knowledge, excellent English and a fun sense of humour. Made it all really interesting and educational. Also everything was tailored around us (a family of three), what we wanted to see and how long we wanted to be walking. Highly recommended and great value.
Fun guide and gorgeous forest
Had a lovely time hiking with Dennis! He is knowledgeable and fun to be around. Loved learning about the flora and fauna of the area. Highly recommend Dennis and this trip!
Unbelievable memories!
Danilo was an amazing tour guide. He was knowledgeable, well prepared, and went out of his way to give us an unforgettable experience! Thank you for the memories. He is a great ambassador and loves showing off his city. We will never forget.
Wonderful walk to Big Rock for wonderful São Paulo views
Danilo from Gregtur picked us up at our Airbnb and was our guide for the walk up through the National Park to Big Rock for superlative views of São Paulo City. Danilo was a superb guide and we enjoyed his company right from the start . He told us so much about São Paulo, its culture, history and politics that it brought the place alive for us. He had a thoughtful and gentle manner which all of us loved. His English was superb. The walk itself up through the national park(rainforest) was beautiful. The views from the top down to the city were amazing. He gave us space to enjoy the views as a family but was very attentive to our needs. He took some beautiful photos of us and the views. It was a day that the four of us will never forget! I highly recommend the tour and Danilo as a guide. We had another tour booked with Gregturismo the next day and were delighted to find Danilo was our tour guide again!