Itatiaia National Park

Itatiaia National Park is a protected area in southeastern Brazil spanning parts of Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais states and was established in 1937. It is recognized for its high-altitude Atlantic Forest, mountain peaks and grassland plateaus.

The park offers marked hiking trails, waterfalls, and mountain viewpoints; its higher sectors include rocky summits and cooler climates that contrast with surrounding lowlands. Popular outdoor activities are day hikes, multi-day treks and birdwatching across varied altitudes.

The park was created to conserve montane ecosystems and has since been managed as a national protected area with visitor infrastructure at designated entry points. Over time it has become a center for nature tourism and scientific study of Atlantic Forest biodiversity.

Geographically the park sits along the border between Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais in southeastern Brazil, occupying mountainous terrain in the Mantiqueira/Itatiaia region with roads and trailheads on the park perimeter.

• Oldest national park in Brazil: Created by federal decree in 1937, it is Brazil's oldest national park and protects high-altitude Atlantic Forest and montane grasslands.
• Best time to visit: Best visiting conditions are generally in the drier months when trails on the higher plateaus and peaks are more accessible and visibility is better.

What to See #

• Pico das Agulhas Negras: Pico das Agulhas Negras is the park's best-known summit and a key viewpoint within the high-altitude sector; it is a focal point for hiking and scrambling routes.
• Lower forest and waterfalls: Lower-lying Atlantic Forest zones and waterfalls offer shorter trails, picnic spots and birdwatching opportunities accessible from the park entrances.