Morro da Urca at a glance
Morro da Urca is a mountain of its own between Praia Vermelha and Sugarloaf. It is not a second name for Sugarloaf. The cable car runs in two legs: from Praia Vermelha up to Morro da Urca, where you change cabins, and from there up to the summit of Pão de Açúcar. The way back is the same in reverse.
You need a ticket for the second leg. Reaching Morro da Urca on foot does not give you free access to the summit. Prices and time slots are in the Sugarloaf cable car tickets guide.
The view from Morro da Urca
From the terraces you look over the Bay of Botafogo, Flamengo, the Santos Dumont Airport and parts of Niterói across the water. Because you are lower than the summit, the buildings and boats are easier to make out. The summit gives you more of the open horizon.
Visibility depends on the weather, and clouds can cover either station. If the summit is in cloud, Morro da Urca can still be clear, and the other way round. Look at the sky before you pick a slot, and see the best time to visit Rio for the seasons.
Our pick: a ticket for both mountains
This ticket covers the cable car from Praia Vermelha to Morro da Urca and on to the summit.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Sugarloaf tickets, tours and flights
Cable car tickets, guided visits, city tours and helicopter flights, with live prices and availability.
Historic cabins at the Praça dos Bondes
The Praça dos Bondes shows historic cabins from the 1912 and 1972 generations of the cable car, along with figures of the engineers behind the system. It is a good place to understand how old the line is. What is on display can change, so look at the current setup when you arrive. The story of the 1912 opening is in the history guide.
What else is on the hill
Facilities and options beyond the view.
Food and shops
The middle station has restaurants and shops. Check the current opening hours when you arrive, especially in the evening.
Helicopter flights
Helicopter flights over the bay start from the heliport on Morro da Urca. They do not start from the summit of Sugarloaf. Flights depend on the weather. Options are on the helicopter tours page.
The trail up
A forest trail of about 900 m leads from the Pista Cláudio Coutinho to Morro da Urca. Hikers pay for the ride down: BRL 65, or BRL 32 reduced (as of August 2026). Details are in the hiking guide.
Sunset
The busiest time is 15:00 to 18:00, and the last ride up is at 19:30. Plan the evening in the Sugarloaf sunset guide.
Rules at the station
The park does not allow drones, glass containers or large items over 25 x 35 x 55 cm. Children under 16 may enter only with a parent or a responsible adult. Do not enter barefoot, in swimwear or without a top. Do not approach wild animals, and do not feed them.
Rain does not automatically close the cable car. In bad conditions the operator can pause service. You can rebook once for free until your booked start, subject to availability.
Morro da Urca: frequently asked questions
Is Morro da Urca the same as Sugarloaf?
No. Morro da Urca is the lower mountain and the first stop. Sugarloaf (Pão de Açúcar) is the summit at 396 m, reached by the second leg of the cable car.
Do I need a separate ticket for Sugarloaf after Morro da Urca?
A normal cable car ticket covers the whole ride from Praia Vermelha. If you walk up the trail, you need a ticket for the ride on to the summit. The add-on that includes the ride up to Sugarloaf and the cable car back down is BRL 140, or BRL 70 reduced (as of August 2026).
How high is Morro da Urca?
220 m above sea level. The Sugarloaf summit is 396 m.
Is the zipline open?
No. The zipline is not open and cannot be booked. Construction has stopped. The cable car runs on its normal schedule.
How long does the walk up Morro da Urca take?
Plan 20 minutes to 1 hour for the 900 m trail from the Pista Cláudio Coutinho, depending on your pace.