The Zé Mondrongo trail in Rio’s Niteroi: few know it, anyone can walk it

The Zé Mondrongo trail is an inexpensive opportunity for those wishing to make a beautiful trail at a low cost, without much equipment, and with little risk.

• Equipment: hiking boots or sneakers, cap, and water bottles.
• Average walking time: 20 minutes.
• Total distance: 2 km.
• Cost of the event: US$10
• Distance to the nearest public transportation: 2.5 km

The Zé Mondrongo trail is an old acquaintance of the Niterói‘s ocean region residents.

Several local guides offer guided walks; the price per person is usually around R$50,00 (US$10).

Access to the beginning of the trail is effortless. Looking from the front to Piratininga Beach, the beginning of the trail is on your right.

Piratininga Beach is well known to military personnel and is their traditional spot for running in the morning.

The idea is to wear appropriate footwear for trails, but if this is impossible, wear any.

We suggest you don’t go barefoot or wear flip-flops because you are much more likely to get hurt; there are many sharp and pointed stones.

Do not leave garbage on the site; take bags and collect the garbage you find along the way.

After a walk of about 10 minutes, you will need a little more skill to climb a steeper rock, but don’t worry; there is a rope there to help you.

Soon after, you enter the forest with the bonus of seeing wonderful “flashes” of the Niterói waterfront through the vegetation.

Be careful with your eyes; many branches are at head height; if you can, wear a cap.

Following the trail, well marked, it takes a little time to reach Havaizinho beach, the grotto, and soon after, the natural pool.

During all this time, the telephone sets work; the coverage is good for all operators because the place is very close to Rio de Janeiro, Niterói, and other populated cities.

Military personnel from the Brazilian Army know the place very well; several barracks are nearby.

You can find the location and some of our pictures on Google maps.

Have a nice tour!

With information from Revista Sociedade Militar

This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error