Last week, I visited one of the most famous historic landmarks of Brazil, the omnipresent Sugarloaf Mountain and its cable car inaugurated in 1912 in Rio-de-Janeiro. I hadn’t been there for quite a few years, so the experience would be extra special, since it would be the first time I would see it with eyes of someone working on the tourism field at the wonder city, like myself. It would be sort of a review of the “SugarLoaf experience" itself.



Sugar-Loaf Entrance:

The visit was planned on a Saturday, and it was not really packed, but sunny. There were many tourism buses, but no crowd at the Urca neighborhood in Rio. At the very entrance, I was glad I wasn’t approached by anyone selling me stuff, although I have the “gringo” look. The ticketing booths were relatively well displayed; the cue organized and looked very clean. Although I had problems with my half-price entrance ticket, (native Cariocas are discounted, but have to show ID + proof of residency), I was happy to hear so many different languages and accents at ticketing booth.


Sugar-Loaf Station I: anxiety for everyone

As soon as you pay and have the ticket in your hands, you get to see a very well made mock up of the Sugar-Loaf and Urca Mountains. I saw many people already flashing their cameras and being amazed with the project. Right after, I could see a nice souvenir shop, selling all kinds of well made design Rio and Sugar-Loaf products. ( If you are anxious to see the view, there is also a second souvenir shop at Station III).


The shop is well decorated and has English speaking salesmen. Prices of Sugar Loaf gifts were reasonable and creative. I was then directed to the first cable on to the Urca Mountain, and from the platform, we could see already the massive rock in front of us. The cable car that lifts us to the first stop takes approximately 3 minutes moving at a speed of 21.6 km/hour or 6 meters ( 18 feet ) per second. It has a capacity for up to 65 people, but had less than 30 this day.



Suspense in Sugar-Loaf Station II

Impressive and breath taking this first leg, where you can see the Red Beach - Praia Vermelha, the green and blue color tones of the Guanabara Bay & Rio-de-Janeiro shore. More flashes all around the cable car and much amusement could be seen during those lively 3 minutes. Once we reached the Urca Mountain - Station II, we could see everyone was already thrilled with the spectacular sight. At 721 feet we could see almost all of the wonderful city view: Niteroi, Christ the Redeemer Statue, Flamengo and Botafogo Beaches, Santos Dumont Airport, Rio-de-Janeiro ´s downtown, and part of Santa Teresa neighborhood…amazing!


The Sugar-Loaf´s general infrastructure has improved a lot, with visible security, Sugar Loaf workers in uniform, boards and signs indicating directions, trash cans, and water fountains. At the Urca Mountain station, where the “Station II” is located, there is also food kiosks, diapers' corner stands, and clean bathrooms. At this level, you can also check out a very interesting film that tells the story of the construction and evolution of the cable car ride, in wide amphitheater. For those real adventurous, there is a helipad too at Station II.

After watching the film, I directed myself to the second platform in order to take the cable car to Station III, where the SugarLoaf Mountain is located at 396 meters ( 1 300 feet ) above sea level. Just before I arrived at this platform, there is also an interesting spot worthwhile stopping by, which is old open-air cable car on display that was used in the '30´s. Many tourists entered this “antique cable car” imagining how it would be those days. This vintage cable car area was just a great location for the taking pictures.



As I embarked for the final up-wards stretch, I observed one procedure that could be perfected at the Pão de Açucar. Someone in my group lost the entrance ticket, which should be kept all the way until the end. The ticket is used in all turnstiles when entering the cable car. I remember someone telling me to keep the ticket, but I saw no sings re-emphasizing this necessity. I am not sure either this observance was stated in all languages…So just as a reminder, keep your Pao de Acucar ticket all the way until your exit!

Amusement in Sugar-Loaf Station III

At a reasonable speed of 10 meters per second, 31 km p/ hour, our cable car then rose to the final stop at Rio´s Sugar Loaf Mountain. The view on the way up was even more spectacular, as we could now see Copacabana, Leme, Ipanema beaches and Rio-de-Janeiro Oceanic Islands as we approached the tremendous mountain top. We could also see several mountain climbers on the face of the giant Pão de Acucar mountain, which impressed all tourists aboard. As we felt the cool breeze entering through the window shaft of the cable car, the bulky mass seemed even bigger and bigger. As soon as we finally landed, the sense of astonishment and awe was visible at the faces of all tourists.


Walking around Sugar-Loaf´s Station III was thrilling! The 360º Rio-de-Janeiro view points from this historic landmarks of Brazil was unimaginable to all accents. I could now see the many mountains that circumvent the wonder city, including Teresópolis´ “Dedo de Deus” peak which lies at the Órgãos Mountains at 2,959 feet, most of the Guanabara Bay, Niteroi´s shoreline, apart from the Oceanic Islands in front of Copacabana beach and Ipanema. Simply wonderful!




At Pão de Açucar´s Station III, there were also several shooting platforms perfect for your favorite photograph at this unimaginable scenery, as well as kiosks, an ecological park and an extra souvenir shop. Tourists and locals simply couldn’t avoid demonstrating their state of ecstasy; magical indeed: Many couples showing their love, children with their parents, friends just hanging out…The wind was blowing cool, the fantastic view of Rio-de-Janeiro in sunset, and my soul replenished...Do you want to know more, come to Rio! I felt then my mission had been accomplished. This Rio-de-Janeiro beauty could be then reviewed in a full article.



Below, I reproduced some factual information about this Rio-de-Janeiro classic:


Sugarloaf Mountain (in Portuguese, Pão de Açúcar), is a peak situated in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from the mouth of Guanabara Bay on a peninsula that sticks out into the Atlantic Ocean. Rising 396 metres (1,299 ft) above sea-level, its name is said to refer to its resemblance to the traditional shape of concentrated refined loaf sugar. However, it is believed by some that the name actually derives from Pau-nh-acuqua (“high hill”) in the Tupi-Guarani language, as used by the indigenous Tamoios.



Visitors can watch rock climbers on Sugarloaf and the other two mountains in the area: Morro da Babilônia (Babylon Mountain), and Morro da Urca (Urca's Mountain). Together, they form one of the largest urban climbing areas in the world, with more than 270 routes, between 1 and 10 pitched long. Some classic routes in Sugarloaf are:

• Italianos, 5.10a, 2 pitches. Beautiful and well protected face climbing. Can be connected to other routes, in a total of 6 pitches to the top.

• Stop Chimney, 5.6, 7 pitches. Classic runout but easy chimney.

• Lagartão, 5.11c, 7 pitches. First two pitches are traditional climbing, the rest is bolted.

• Ibis, 5.10d A1, 10 pitches. Runout and committed. Some parties climb it in one day, sleeping on one of the ledges in the first half of the route.


The mountain is only one of several monolithic morros of granite and quartz that rise straight from the water's edge around Rio de Janeiro. A glass-paneled cable car (in popular Portuguese, bondinho - more properly called teleférico), capable of holding 75 passengers, runs along a 1400-metre route between the peaks of Pão de Açúcar and Cara de Cão every 20 minutes. The original cable car line was built in 1912 and rebuilt around 1972/1973 in its current form. The cable car goes from the base, not the peak of the Babilônia mountain, to the Urca mountain and then to the Pão de Açúcar mountain.



The mountain may be known for its memorable scene in the 1979 James Bond movie, Moonraker, in which the villanous henchman Jaws attempts to kill 007 and the agent's ally, Dr. Holly Goodhead, on a tram, but instead is defeated at their hands when he comically flies through a 7 Up billboard by accident. So familiar is this peak, the mere sight of it in a film is considered sufficient to establish the setting as Rio de Janeiro.


Candidate to be one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. The Cable Car connects the base to the Morro da Urca, and then Morro da Urca to Sugar Loaf Mountain. Several personalities as Kennedy, Einstein and Lech Walesa have already enjoyed the trip and several other international celebrities.