Cachoeiras do Horto: A Refreshing Escape in Tijuca National Park

Cachoeiras do Horto encompasses a series of three waterfalls hidden within the verdant Tijuca National Park, the world's largest urban forest. Located in the Alto da Boa Vista neighborhood, this natural attraction provides a refreshing escape from Rio de Janeiro's bustling city life. The trail that connects the waterfalls is considered to be of moderate difficulty. The first, smaller waterfall is located right at the entrance to the trail and is suitable for washing your hands or dipping your head. A 10-minute hike will reveal the second waterfall, where most hikers stop to bathe. If you continue hiking up, you'll encounter a small rocky wall with a rope that can be a bit challenging to pass. After passing it, you'll arrive at the third waterfall, the largest and most beautiful of the three. There is also a small, natural, shallow lake where you can dive. The park itself is a 40-square-kilometer protected section of the Atlantic Forest, boasting impressive biodiversity. Once spanning over 350 million acres, the Atlantic Forest has been significantly reduced due to logging and development, making Tijuca National Park an important sanctuary. Visitors can enjoy birdwatching and immerse themselves in the calming sounds of the forest.