World’s Biggest Urban Jungle: A Biodiversity Paradise

At the center of the Marvelous City lies the vast Tijuca Forest, encompassing an area of 32 square kilometers teeming with vibrant flora and fauna. This makes it the world’s biggest urban woodland. Brimming with ecological diversity and open for all to explore, this verdant sanctuary in Rio de Janeiro is essential to visit!

Situated merely four kilometers away from Copacabana Beach, the Tijuca Forest exemplifies the delicate equilibrium between contemporary urban expansion and the role of natural environments. Spanning nearly 32 square kilometers at the core of this Brazilian metropolis, this expansive verdant area serves as a testament that reminds us all.
Rio de Janeiro
It is more than just a city with beaches and skyscrapers; it is also an area where nature maintains a dominant presence.

The Tijuca Forest: A Tale of Reforestation and Conservation

Tijuca is the biggest urban forest globally, situated at the center of Rio within the southern part of the city. This impressive woodland resulted from a significant historical reforestation initiative. It was established where an original primeval forest once stood but had been destroyed due to the overindulgences of the 19th century.

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In the 19th century, Emperor Pedro II initiated the replanting of the Tijuca Forest. In 1861, Brazil’s final emperor tasked engineer Manuel Gomes Archer with planting approximately 100,000 trees representing several native species—such as eucalyptus, jacaranda, and manaca—to rejuvenate a region ravaged by coffee cultivation.

More than a hundred years after its inception, the ambitious reforestation initiative transformed Tijuca into an invaluable ecological sanctuary and the planet’s biggest metropolitan woodland. This area falls within Brazil’s national park system and supports a rich variety of flora and fauna. It boasts a dense population of tropical life forms along with diverse wildlife, featuring creatures like howler monkeys, vibrant avian species, and uncommon insects such as the Menelaus blue morpho, which ranks among the globe’s largest butterflies. Additionally, Tijuca is dotted with numerous cascades, most notably the renowned Cascatinha Taunay waterfall, standing tall at 30 meters above ground level.

Miles of wild hiking paths within the city limits of Rio de Janeiro

Within the national park, you can find 16 hiking paths meandering through the forest’s valleys and summits. Notable among these are the breathtaking routes up Pico da Tijuca (which stands at 1,012 meters above sea level) and Pedra da Gávea, both providing stunning vistas of the urban landscape, ocean, and nearby mountain ranges. Although many of the trails cater to hikers regardless of experience, it remains advisable to explore them accompanied by a local guide so as not to lose your way.

A different option for exploring the forest is to drive instead of walk. Beginning at Laranjeiras, you can take the Estrada das Paineiras up to Alto da Boa Vista, passing several notable spots like the Vista Chinesa and Mesa do Imperador, which are among the forest’s most renowned vantage points. This journey could also incorporate a stop at Corcovado.
Christ the Redeemer
, Rio de Janeiro’s iconic landmark, and the Botanical Garden, once more among the largest globally!