Ilha Grande hikes are the reason the island feels wild, even when you are based in Abraão. In one day you can climb to a lookout, cool off under a waterfall, then finish on a surf beach like Lopes Mendes.
My travel guide focuses on the trails that are genuinely worth your legs, with realistic distance and time ranges and the simplest ways to avoid wrong turns.
TLDR Quick picks (choose the right hike)
If you are tight on time, both on Ilha Grande or to read this article, these are the 5 hikes I recommend you consider. There are options for literally everyone that will give you a great feel for the island and feel rewarding.
If you want to know about all the options available, I cover all the hikes later in my article.
More of my Brazil guides to help plan your trip
- Ilha Grande Travel Guide — How to get to the island, what to do, where to stay and what to eat when you’re there
- Ilha Grande Pousadas and Hotels — The best areas to stay on the island and hand picked accommodation options
- Paraty Brazil Travel Guide — The best activities, things to see and how to get to Paraty from Rio and Sao Paulo
- Restaurants in Paraty — My favourite restaurants in Paraty for all occasions, plotted on an easy to follow map
| Hike | Why it is worth it | Distance | Typical time (moderate pace) | Effort |
| Circuito do Abraão (T1 loop) | Easy warm-up with pools, ruins, and a quick jungle fix | 1.5–2 km | 45–75 mins | Easy |
| Feiticeira waterfall and beach | Proper rainforest climb, then a waterfall swim and a quiet beach | 8–10 km | 3–4 hrs | Moderate |
| Lopes Mendes Beach (via T10) | The classic big beach finish, with viewpoints on the way | 13–16 km (route-dependent) | 2.5–4 hrs one-way | Moderate |
| Pico do Papagaio (T13) | The headline view hike. Big day, big reward | 10–18 km (route-dependent) | 5–8 hrs | Hard |
| Dois Rios (T14) | Long, quiet forest walk to a wide bay backed by jungle | 14–15 km return | 4–5 hrs | Moderate to hard |
How the Ilha Grande trail system works
Whilst most trails are easy to follow, most coded with a T, the bit people get wrong is assuming every junction is obvious once you are in the forest. I recommend you download an offline map before you set off, then still follow the park signposts on the day. Having something to triple check is well worth the effort, saving you time and energy!
I used AllTrails across the island and found it excellent, it’s also totally free and you can download your maps on WiFi and use offline.
- Trail codes matter. Many main routes are signed as T1, T2, and so on, especially around Abraão.
- Start early when the hike is long. Heat and humidity make even moderate distances feel harder later in the day.
- Treat water as your limiting factor. Plan your refill points before you leave the village.
Ilha Grande Hikes Map
Best Ilha Grande hikes from Vila do Abraão
Avoid choosing a long hike and then taking a relaxed pace to breakfast. Instead, pick your start time first (early for viewpoints, flexible for short loops), then choose the route.
Circuito do Abraão (T1)
This is the best low-commitment hike on the island. You get a real slice of Atlantic Forest, small, beautiful beaches, and quick historic stops at the aquaduct and old prison (Lazareto ruins) without turning it into a workout. Ideal to get yourself acclimatised to Ilha Grande hiking, or for those who don’t want to or cannot walk far.
Distance: 1.5–2 km loop
Typical time (moderate pace): 45–75 mins
My Top Tip! It is an easy loop but I advise you avoid doing this in flip flops after rain. You’ll end up sliding on roots and slick rock. Wear trainers and bring beach shoes in your bag.
Abraãozinho
This is a great first-day leg stretcher because it delivers a quiet little beach, with minimal effort. It is also a useful confidence-builder if you are not sure how muddy trails feel after rain.
Distance: about 1 km one-way
Typical time: about 20–30 mins one-way
My Top Tip! If you go at high tide, you can end up wading, dress accordingly or check the tides for when you plan to hike.
Feiticeira waterfall and Feiticeira beach
If you want one hike that feels like classic Ilha Grande, this is it. You climb through thick forest, cool off at the waterfall, then drop down to a small beach that feels a world away from Abraão.
Distance: about 8–10 km return, depending on the exact route you take
Typical time: about 3–4 hours total
My Top Tip! Avoid doing this right after heavy rain if you dislike slippery climbs. You will end up tense on the steeper sections.
Saco do Céu (T2)
This walk is about atmosphere in the best way. You trade open sea for calm, sheltered water and a quiet inlet feel, with the forest tight around the trail for much of the route.
Distance: about 6 km one-way from Abraão
Typical time: about 2–3 hours one-way
My Top Tip! The bit people get wrong is treating it like a quick there-and-back. A better plan is to commit to a longer day as it is harder than you might think, or combine it with a boat plan if you do not want to return on foot.
Lopes Mendes (via T10, with options)
This is famous for a reason. It is one of the most iconic beaches outside of Rio. A long, wide surf beach with jungle behind it, and the hike earns it with viewpoints and forest sections that feel properly remote.
If you’re tight on time and picking only one hike, this would be my recommendation.
Distance: sources vary by route. Common figures include about 13.4–13.5 km for the T10 route, and up to about 16.3 km for other mapped routes
Typical time: about 2.5–4 hours one-way, depending on heat, stops, and the exact line you take
My Top Tip! If you do the full hike both ways, you will likely feel rushed on the beach. On my first time here I chose to hike there and get the boat back, which meant we had time to relax and enjoy the beach
Dois Rios (T14)
This one is for people who like the walking as much as the destination. You spend long stretches in the forest, then arrive at a broad, quiet bay where two rivers meet the sea.
Distance: about 14–15 km return, depending on mapping
Typical time: about 4–5 hours return
My Top Tip! Avoid starting late if you are doing this as an out-and-back. It will make the return rushed and less enjoyable
Pico do Papagaio (T13)
This is the hike people remember. It is steep in parts and demands a full day, but the summit view is the kind that makes you stop talking for a minute.
Distance: sources vary because routes and tracking differ. You will see anything from about 9.8 km on mapped out-and-back routes to about 18 km return in other guides.
Typical time: about 5–8 hours total
My Top Tip! Avoid attempting this if you are not confident. It is one I actually recommend getting a guide for, especially if you want it to be a sunrise hike, it makes the whole thing a lot easier and safer.
Hikes on the other side of the Island
Ilha grande is great for those wanting to do some point to point, multi day hikes, seeing further into the ilsand without using boats, here are some of the best to consider that won’t start from Abraão.
Lagoa Verde via the island circuit stages
If you want that clear water, shallow, fish-around-the-rocks snorkelling without the busier boat lanes, Lagoa Verde is the perfect. It is often worked into longer point-to-point days on the island circuit rather than from Abraão.
Distance: on circuit day stages it is part of a 14 km day between Bananal and Araçatiba, with Lagoa Verde as a detour option
Typical time: plan it as a full-day walk if you are linking villages, not a quick outing
The Abraão to Aventureiro stretch (for strong walkers only)
This is where Ilha Grande feels far from everything. You move through fishing villages, climb and drop through jungle, and end on Aventureiro, a surf beach that stays quieter partly because boats are not a simple option.
Distance: one popular stage is Araçatiba to Aventureiro at about 8.5 km
Typical time (moderate pace): about 4.5–5 hours for that stage
The Ilha Grande Circuit: the multi-day trek
Plan it as village-to-village legs, and shorten it by taking a boat for one end if you want fewer nights or to rest your legs.
The full circuit is often described as roughly 70 km and commonly done in 5 to 7 days, depending on how many beach stops you want.
A simple 3-day route:
- Day 1: Abraão to Bananal (15 km). Jungle, beaches, and the feeling of leaving the main village behind.
- Day 2: Bananal to Araçatiba (14 km). Beaches, then Lagoa Verde as the snorkel highlight.
- Day 3: Araçatiba to Aventureiro (8.5 km). Harder climbs and a proper finish on the surf beach.
A 5-day outline for those adventure seekers:
- Day 1: Abraão to Bananal (15 km).
- Day 2: Bananal to Araçatiba (14 km).
- Day 3: Araçatiba to Aventureiro (8.5 km).
- Day 4: Aventureiro to Santo Antonio (25 km). This is the monster day. It can include non-official segments and areas where rules and enforcement can vary.
- Day 5: Santo Antonio to Abraão (8 km) via Lopes Mendes and Pouso.
Planning tips for Ilha Grande hikes
The bit people get wrong is packing like they are going for a city walk. Plan and dress for sweat and mud, and pack like you might be out longer than expected.
- Download an offline map before you lose signal.
- Carry more water than you think you need. Heat will be the thing that catches you out.
- Treat boat plans as flexible. Sea conditions can change, especially on more exposed beaches.
- For big hikes like Papagaio, set a turn-around time before you start or get a proper guide.
If you are still planning your trip consider the best Pousadas on the island or read my full Ilha Grande travel guide.
Trail cheat-sheet. Ilha Grande hikes at a glance
Typical walking times assume a moderate pace, excluding long swim breaks.
| Trail | Code | Start. Finish | What to expect | Distance | Typical walking time | Effort | Return options |
| Circuito do Abraão | T1 | Abraão. Abraão | Fast mix of viewpoints, ruins, aqueduct, quick swim | 1.5–2 km loop | 45–75 mins | Easy | Loop back to Abraão |
| Abraão to Saco do Céu | T2 | Abraão. Saco do Céu | Quiet coves and a calm bay finish | 6 km one way | 2–3 hrs one way | Easy | Walk back, or link onwards |
| Saco do Céu to Freguesia de Santana | T3 | Saco do Céu. Freguesia | Empty beach stretches then village shoreline | 4 km one way | 1.5–2 hrs one way | Easy | Link to Bananal or backtrack |
| Abraão to Pouso | T10 | Abraão. Pouso | Jungle hike that sets up Lopes Mendes | 6 km one way | 2.5–3 hrs one way | Moderate | Walk back, or continue to T11, or boat back if available |
| Pouso to Lopes Mendes | T11 | Pouso. Lopes Mendes | Iconic surf beach reveal with minimal effort | 2 km return | 40 mins return | Easy | Return to Pouso on foot |
| Pouso to Farol dos Castelhanos | T12 | Pouso. Lighthouse. Back | Big wild-coast day and lighthouse views | 24 km return | 7–8 hrs | Hard | Return on foot |
| Pico do Papagaio | T13 | Abraão. Summit. Back | Best wide-angle views. Big effort | 10–18 km (route dependent) | 5–8 hrs | Hard | Return on foot |
| Abraão to Dois Rios | T14 | Abraão. Dois Rios | Forest depth, viewpoint, wide quiet beach | 7 km one way. 14–15 km return if you walk back | 2.5–3 hrs one way. 4–5 hrs return | Moderate to hard | Walk back, or boat back if available |
| Dois Rios to Caxadaço | T15 | Dois Rios. Caxadaço. Back | Remote-feel cove plus scenic stone road | 8.6 km return | 3–4 hrs | Moderate | Return on foot |
| Dois Rios to Parnaioca | T16 | Dois Rios. Parnaioca | Remote beach plus waterfall | 7.8 km one way | 2.5–3 hrs one way | Moderate | One-way to stay over, or return |
| Feiticeira waterfall and beach | Near Abraão area. Waterfall. Beach. Back | Waterfall swim plus beach finish | 8–10 km (route dependent) | 3–4 hrs | Moderate | Out-and-back, with beach time at the end | |
| Abraãozinho | Abraão. Abraãozinho. Back | Quick quiet beach with minimal effort | 1 km one way | 20–30 mins one way | Easy | Out-and-back |
FAQ about hiking Ilha Grande
Pick the hike to Lopes Mendes via the T10 trail from Abraão, then continue via T11 from Pouso if you want the simplest finish. The highlight is the moment the forest opens onto a long sweep of bright sand and surf.
For most visitors, the bigger risks are practical, not crime. Stick to marked trails, start earlier than you think for longer routes, and avoid pushing on late because it gets dark quickly under the canopy. Trails can be slick when wet, so shoes with grip are crucial.
You might spot coatis, marmosets, and howler monkeys, plus lots of Atlantic Forest birdlife. You can also see reptiles and amphibians, and if you spend time in the water around the island, sea turtles are possible.
Minimum, 2 full days if you want one headline hike plus one relaxed beach or boat day. Ideal for first-timers is 3 to 4 full days so you can do Lopes Mendes, add a second hike (waterfall or viewpoint), and still have time for swims. If you want the full hiking circuit, plan 5 to 7 days.
Because hiking is how you reach the best parts of the island. Much of Ilha Grande is protected Atlantic rainforest, and the trail network (T1 to T16) links beaches, viewpoints, and remote bays that are not road-accessible.
You go Rio to the coast by road, then boat to Vila do Abraão. The most common boat points are Conceição de Jacareí and Angra dos Reis, with Conceição typically the quickest crossing at about 15 to 25 minutes. Angra routes vary by service, with crossings often around an hour. You can also book combined van plus boat transfers from Rio.
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