Gavea Rock,

Nature lovers will enjoy hiking this 2,769 feet mountain from which one has an impressive view of the city and the beaches below. The mountain was named for its shape, resembling a gávea (a topsail of a ship), and it's the world's largest monolith on a coastline. Visitors can either walk on the trails or reach the summit by guided tour. The hike goes through the Mata Atlântica tropical rainforest and one can often see monkeys and colorful tropical birds along the way. There are some inscriptions on the rocks which some believe originate from ancient Phoenician civilization.