The Serra da Tiririca State Park is one of those places that seem hand-stitched by nature: between the blue of the ocean and the green of the Atlantic Forest, trails open through mountains, lagoons, coastal vegetation, and impressive rock formations. Located between Niterói and Maricá, the park is a natural refuge in the heart of the Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Region and is part of the UNESCO Atlantic Forest Biosphere Reserve.

With approximately 3,500 hectares, partly marine and partly terrestrial, the park is divided into five sectors: Serra da Tiririca, Lagoon, Darcy Ribeiro, Park surroundings, and Ilha Mãe (Mother Island). Venturing through it is like diving into a network of trails that reveal hidden beaches, breathtaking ocean viewpoints, dense forests, and unique rock formations. From the Itacoatiara Cliff to the Itaipu Lagoon Loop Circuit, passing through the trails of Córrego dos Colibris, Morros das Andorinhas, Pedra de Itaocaia, Morro do Elefante and many others, the park offers routes for all fitness levels. All updated information can be found in the Serra da Tiririca State Park Trail Guide (in Portuguese), an essential tool for planning your visit safely and consciously.

It’s possible to experience diverse activities in marine areas, dunes, lagoons, islands, and forests. Besides protecting important springs and ancient archaeological sites, the diversity of coastal and mountain ecosystems is also home to rare species, such as the ocelot and the yellow-bellied caiman, and symbolic plants like the Brazilwood and the white jequitibá. Whether walking along an ecological trail, observing birds among the treetops, or appreciating the sunset reflected in the waters of the Itaipu Lagoon, the Serra da Tiririca is an invitation to reconnect with nature and remember that it is also part of who we are.