If you are headed to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, that “Jesus Statue” is probably on your “must see” attractions list.  What not many people know is that Christ the Redeemer can be a quick (less than an hour) trip, OR you can turn it into a full fledged hiking adventure.  Obviously, that’s how I chose to tackle this popular tourist trap attraction. (scroll to the bottom to see the less adventurous ways to get there)

Preparing

Regardless of the duration of any hike, we need to be prepared for our adventures.  This usually includes things like drinking water, eating right, and making sure you have everything you need before, during, and after. 

• Start hydrating the night before – This is the single most important tip for hiking to Christ the Redeemer.  If you don’t start drinking water until the morning of, you will get dehydrated and hate life.  How do I know this?  Because I didn’t do it and I felt like I was going to throw up, die, or both.
• Eat a good breakfast – Luckily, since we were staying at the Marriott in Copacabana for New Years Eve, we had a HUGE selection of breakfast items.  Almost too much for this day (I was way to full to be hiking up there).  Just make sure you drink some more water, get some carbs and proteins in your belly, and you’ll be okay.
• Apply sunscreen – I’m one of those “put on sunscreen in the morning and I’m good for the whole day” kind of people.  If you are not, put some on before you leave and think about bringing a small travel-size one with you to reapply.
• Don’t underestimate the terrain or the weather – Not going to lie, the article I read made it seem pretty easy for someone who is in decent shape.  I consider myself in slightly-above-decent shape, and it started to get pretty rough after about half way.  Just remember, it’s an almost constant steep incline while also being very hot and humid.

What to bring:

• WATER – you guessed it, we underestimated this hike and didn’t bring any.  It’s like we’re new to this adventure thing *eye roll*
• Comfortable clothes – I wore a tank top, shorts, and a hat (which I kind of regretted since it kept the heat on my head) while Michael wore a short sleeve and shorts.  Both of us thought that was a pretty great choice.  However, there were people we saw starting their hike in jeans, skirts, and all sorts of crazy stuff that I would have loved to interview about their experiences.  It’s a strenuous hike, not a fashion show. 
• Solid hiking sandals or shoes – I got a TON of weird looks walking up to people asking for directions in my Chacos.  They didn’t think I would make it, but my feet were SO comfortable.  Bonus: whenever we saw streams, I got to walk through them and cool off my feet (so nice)!  Nothing crazy is necessary though.  Michael wore his regular running shoes (which were a little too small) and the only complaint he had was while we descended.  With the decline his toes were getting a bit smooshed in the front of his shoe. 
• Camera or phone – The hike is beautiful and at the very least you’ll want proof that you made it to the top.
• Bug spray – It didn’t seem like we would need any, but I definitely regret not putting any on.  If you have a tiny one, toss it into your bag
• Sunscreen – If you’re like me and don’t have to reapply hardly ever, put it on before you go and don’t worry about bringing it.  If you sweat it off easy or use the cheap stuff, you might want to bring it with you.  Most of the trail is covered by trees and such, but the last bit is uncovered.  Also, if you plan to spend any length of time at the top you might want some for the trek back down.
• Cash – it costs $28R per person, but since we didn’t know it was cash only, we only had US dollars.  That was a whole debacle involving inflated currency exchange rates with a security guard, then some random person standing there who exchanged our money for said wrong exchange rate and we ended up paying $17.00USD instead of $14.45USD.  So bring Brazilian reals with you.
• Day pack – Since we decided on not bringing water (dumb), I wore a fanny pack with my camera and phone in it.  It was fine, but my camera got a bit sweaty and it wasn’;t that comfortable.  Honestly, having my trusty Pacific Northwest day pack would have been so much better.  Just know, you’ll be on steep inclines, and at one point climbing up rocks with steel bars and a chain.  You’ll definitely want your hands free.

The entrance to Christ the Redeemer opens at 0800.  However, the entrance to Parque Lage (where you start the hike) also opens at 0800.  That means it’s not possible to be the first one to the top if you decide to hike.  For me, the journey is more interesting than the destination, but be prepared to deal with plenty of other tourists.  You win some, you lose some.

Parque Lage (on the way in)

Since I enjoy walking everywhere, I convinced Michael on walking from our hotel in Copacabana to our start point.  Note: taking an Uber is also totally an option and maybe preferable if you want to save your energy.  This 3.1 mile walk took us about an hour and 15 minutes and put us at the entrance at precisely 0800 (their opening time).  I got slightly worried when we walked up to the East entrance and the gates were locked.  Turns out, a little bit up the road there is a West entrance and it opens right on time.  On our way back down, the East gate was still locked, so maybe that’s just a regular thing.  Anyways, head for the West gate.  Once you enter, there’s a million signs and even a park map.  Maybe we just didn’t know what to look for… but it was a useless map.  

Simple breakdown of how to get to the trailhead

Go in the West gate.  Take a right at some point (preferably not the first one).  You’ll then see a large beautiful building on your left that looks like this…

Walk up the stairs to it, say hello, and turn right.  There will be a point where you see a bridge looking thing like this…

THAT’S THE WRONG WAY. 

You want to go up the stairs that are before that and take a right at the top.  There will start to be signs for “Corcovado,” follow them.  There will be steps on your left with a grumpy lady at the top of them.  This is the actual trailhead.  She has to sign you in to make sure you make it alive, which means you have to give her information from just one person in your group: name, passport number, how many are in your group, and that’s about it.  BEGIN ADVENTURE.

The Trail

We got to the park when it opened but struggled finding the trailhead, so we were the second group of people to sign in.  I wondered if we would ever see that group of four French citizens, and about 30 minutes in we practically ran past them.  The beginning of this hike is SO EASY, but remember, it gets harder, much harder.  So after gaining confidence and momentum, we thought the trail was no big deal.  Suddenly, the grade of incline became larger and larger with less switchbacks and we began sweating.  I thought I was going to puke as Michael took my hat off and started fanning me while telling me not to bend over.  We didn’t have water after-all, and it was a good thing I didn’t actually throw up.  We had to stop a few times to catch our breaths and fan each other.  It was miserable. 

A little unexpectedly, there is one part of the hike where metal bars have been put into the rocks with a chain on the side to assist hikers on getting to the next part of the trail.  After that point, there are many high steps and grabbing onto trees and other rocks for leverage.  It may seem like you’re going the wrong way at some points.  Fret not, the trail is pretty clearly marked with these yellow markers along the way.  Getting closer, you can hear the tram and think “I’m almost there!” You’re not.  But you are almost to some pavement which is a nice relief from dirt and rock climbing. 

The last bit of the trail is just the paved road that cars use to get to the top.  It’s very steep, and the tourist van shuttles go WAY too fast up and down them which is slightly terrifying when there’s no sidewalk.  So just keep an eye out and stay as close to the sides as possible.  Finally, after what seems like a hundred switchbacks, you’ll see it, the giant Christ the Redeemer statue.  Just to realize you have a million stairs to go.  But as Michael says “Don’t just focus on getting to the top, stop and appreciate what’s around you along the way.”  You might even see some monkeys!

Entrance to Christ the Redeemer

You’ll see this sign and these steps to get to the entrance. 

It’s a little confusing since there’s just a big gate at the top with someone sitting on the side, but that’s it.  Using the cash you brought with you (since I told you to pack it), pay the $28R per person, and go inside.  Climb up another two flights of stairs, and BAM you’ve made it to Christ’s feet.

Reality of Christ the Redeemer 

So we’ve made it!  Now to fight off hoards of people and get a decent photo.  Since we decided to hike and not be the first to the very top, this was a sacrifice we knew we were making.  Honestly, if you have the time, maybe consider doing both?  One day hike up and the next be the first on the tram or up early on a bus to avoid all the tourists.  I even saw different tour companies advertising early admission.  So if you have the money and REALLY want to avoid the bustle, maybe that’s something to consider as well.  Anyways, the statue seems monstrous from the ground, but I was a little surprised at how much smaller it looked up close.  Don’t get me wrong, it’s still huge, but not as big as I expected.  

Since there’s not much to do and way too many people, we spent less than 20 minutes at the top.  There are gift shops and food available here as well (which was great since we were HELLA dehydrated).  Grab a few pictures, look out across the entire city, and be amazed at what you just conquered.  Done.

The Descent

Getting back down the mountain is a million times easier than climbing up.  Be careful though since it is such a steep grade which makes it easy to start increasing your speed.  This can be dangerous since the trail is fairly loose dirt, leaves, and rocks (I definitely slipped a few times).  Also, there are some very conveniently located trees to grab on to.  Some of these trees are not very sturdy, so make sure to check them before using them to assist you!  

Parque Lage (on the way out)

This park is beautiful.  If you have time, I highly suggest walking around to look at everything it has to offer.  There is a small aquarium with signs leading to it from the trailhead.  It’s nothing really impressive, but one of the places you can check out. 

There are also man-made caves that you can walk through and look at the impressive stalagmites and stalactites.  Even though the caves aren’t nature made, it’s still a pretty cool stop. 

Lastly, that beautiful building I mentioned on your way in?  Go check it out!  Parque Lage is just a beautiful place to wander and relax after such an intense hike.

Good luck!  

Let me know if you have (or plan to) attempt this hike in the comments below!

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