02. Grumari x Grota Funda

Section: Grumari x Grota Funda (Via Morro da Bica)

Orientation

Technical Information

Attractions

Section Map

Interactive Map

Route Description

(West Direction/ Barra de Guaratiba x Urca Hill)
Here we begin our journey towards Grota Funda. We start walking on a flat dirt road, always following the yellow footprints/black base. We walk (1.0 km) to a fork on the left. At this point we walk between trees and farms, always going straight for another (350 m) to a fork on the right. Keep climbing for another (1.0 km) along an old road that looks like a wide trail with a steep incline until you reach an iron gate on your left.

Now follow the main trail to the left for another (150 m) and you will find a shallow stream good for drinking water. Continuing along the trail, we walk another (250 m) to the Bica farm. At this point we enter the fork on the left (going straight will take you towards Piabas where there is a bus stop). Continue another (260 m) and you will see a small house on your left, go in the opposite direction from the house on the Main Trail for another (70 m) and you will reach an entrance to the Bica viewpoint or Bica Cave. It's worth taking a look and taking photos.

Back on the Main Trail, you will pass a huge boulder on your left and continue climbing (1.1 km) through the forest to the top of Santo Antônio da Bica hill at 482 m altitude. Now we walk another (1.5 km) to a fig tree right over the tunnel. From this point at 276 m altitude, we descend for (760 m) to the "big viewpoint" on your right. There is a wire fence, but it's fine to go to the edge to take photos. Now just go down the Main Trail to a staircase and reach the asphalt of Grota Funda. From this point you can call a taxi, wait for a bus, or walk down to the right towards Barra. Walk for about half an hour and find a bus.

How to Get There

This section of the Transcarioca Trail can be reached at the end of Grumari beach where the Grumari Natural Municipal Park headquarters is located. It can also be accessed by those finishing the Barra de Guaratiba x Grumari section. In the reverse direction, it starts at Grota Funda. Buses from the Alvorada terminal go to Grota Funda or the Piabas terminal.

Infographic

Attractions

Grumari Beach, caves, Vargem Grande neighborhood. Viewpoints, Tijuca Massif, Pedra da Gávea.

Commerce/Lodging

There are several bars in Grumari with no regular opening hours, and upon arrival at Grota Funda there is no commerce. It is necessary to walk downhill towards Barra to find bars and restaurants.
Currently there is no partnership between the Transcarioca Trail and local commerce.

Water Points

There is a shallow stream in the first part of the route, good for drinking water. At the beaches and the park headquarters there are water points. Bring enough water for the entire section.

Historical Facts

On the path between Grumari and Grota Funda, hikers walk surrounded by banana trees mixed with leafy Atlantic Forest trees. The more attentive will observe on the ground the stones of the old "pé de moleque" road that, when trying to invade Rio de Janeiro in 1710, the corsair Du Clerc used to leave Grumari and reach the Campos de Sernambetiba, precisely through Grota Funda.

According to Barão do Rio Branco, the French corsair François Du Clerc landed at Barra de Guaratiba with 1,200 men on August 11, 1710. His troops faced a small garrison that they had no difficulty subduing. Once on land, the invaders, guided by four escaped slaves, followed to Grumari, from where they advanced towards the Jacarepaguá Lowlands along the path that passes through Garganta and then through the Grumari Fields, passing near where the Grumari Natural Municipal Park headquarters is located.

According to Augusto Tasso Fragoso, oral tradition in the Guaratiba region suggests that Duclerc would have landed at Grumari itself, at a small port that then existed on that beach. After disembarking, the French would have followed the second section of the current Transcarioca Trail, crossing Santo Antônio da Bica Hill to the Grota Funda road, which they would have used to descend to the Campos de Sernambetiba.

Photos

Adopting Group

Grupo Alpha
grupoalphalabs.com
Email: contato@grupoalphalabs.com