Rio offers trekking and swimming in a vast urban rain forest : NPR
NPR • • world
Key Points:
- Tijuca National Park in Rio de Janeiro is the world's largest urban rainforest, covering over fifteen square miles of dense, jungle-like terrain amidst the city.
- Visitors often take a tram up Corcovado Mountain to see the iconic Christ Redeemer statue, but the park offers extensive hiking trails and natural attractions beyond the statue.
- The author hiked down from the tram station through steep, challenging trails, experiencing diverse wildlife including monkeys, bright flowers, and butterflies.
- After several hours, the author reached a popular chain of waterfalls where locals swim, enjoying a refreshing and cold dip beneath moss-covered rock faces.
- The hike concludes with a descent into the city, blending the wildness of the rainforest with the urban environment of Rio.
