Pico da Caledonia

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Pico da Caledonia

Page Type:	Mountain/Rock
Lat/Lon:	22.3479°S / 42.5913°W
Activities:	Hiking, Mountaineering
Season:	Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Elevation:	7411 ft / 2259 m
	Sign the Climber's Log!

Overview

Pico da Caledônia is an amazing mountain group, with many mountains surrounding with Atlnantic Forest, falls, farms, rocks and wild animals and a beautiful flora.There are 2 summits : South and North. The highest point is the North ( 2219 mts. ) and the South has just 6 meters less ( 2213 mts. ). The company " Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. " is the mountain owner, and the summit is a strategic point to the the radio waves and celular signals. On the Caledonia summit ( North and South ) , there are 7 great antennas with 50 mts. each, and is forbidden to go up to the top, it's very dangerous, because there, the wind blows hard. From the summit, it's possible to see Tres Picos group, Salinas Valley, Torres de Bonsucesso, Serra dos Orgãos National Park, Rio de Janeiro State coastline, Lumiar Mountains, Nova Friburgo town and Caledonia's environ mountains. Pico da Caledônia is a massive mountain without climbing routes, because there, have great valleys with hard to get at with close forest to cross to arrive at the base of the big walls

Getting There

Pico da Caledônia is in Nova Friburgo town, the " Brazilian climbing capital ". Nova Friburgo is far around 150 km. from Rio de Janeiro. To get there, drive to Niteroi and get the BR-101 to North to Itaboraí town. Arriving in Itaboraí, there are plates indicating the right way to Friburgo. RJ-116 ( Rota 116 ) conducts to Cachoeiros de Macacu town ( 50 km before Nova Friburgo ). More 30 minutes and you will at downtown Friburgo. To get the road to access the mountain, go to Cônego district and supply your equipments, this is the last stop. After this, are 18 km to the summit by rocky road. The entrance of the particular area you should to leave your documents for the identification and, go to the top. You need to go up by 675 stairs to get the summit
* This is the only way at this moment to get the summit.
Until 1982, there were 3 trails to Pico da Caledônia :
- From São Lourenço Valley , 10 km of an inclined rise;
- The North Ridge, from the original way, more 6 km;
- The original way, as late as today.

When To Climb

Every day you can get the summit. The summer rains hard, is very hot and is very dangerous because the lightning storms; Fall and Spring is very good to climb Caledônia, but at the Winter, is the best season to go, because the colors of the sunrise and the sunset turns special. At the Winter, the temperature can drop to -6°C and the snow is very rare, but happens nights with few snow.

Camping

There aren't oficial camping areas. By the road to the summit, just 4 good areas for a few tents, between the km 12 and km 18. On the summit, is forbidden to camp. If you choose more confortable, stay in the base resting-places or the hotels, like Caledonia Inn.

Summit View ( North and West )

Summit View ( South and East )

The Outskirts

There are many places to go near Pico da Caledônia. Catarinas Mountains are a special group of roundish mountains with many climbing routes. Catarina Peak has 1795 mts. Morro da Cruz is another special place to go ( 1450 mts. ), it's very easy, there are a cable car to rise the summit. Over there, it's possible to see all Nova Friburgo and the mountains of the region. Chapéu da Bruxa ( Witch Hat Peak ) is for the beginners, is a good start. The summit is on 1750 mts.

Visiting Pico da Caledônia

The time-table to visit the summit is 07:00 am to 17:00 pm. Just Tuesday to Sunday. You should to to be with your documents. The access is free.

Petrobras Antennas

The company " Petrobras S.A. " , the summit owner, has four big antennas to transmit the signals of the petroleum platforms of Atlantis Ocean for the Capital, Rio de Janeiro.

The Bridge

On the summit, there is a bridge connecting the South to the North peak. This is a metal bridge crossing the highest valley of the mountain and it's frightness to walk on this bridge if the wind is hard. You need get permission to cross this bridge.

Fauna and Flora

The fauna and the flora of Caledônia region is exhuberant. There are animals how : Little monkeys ( micos ), Felines ( Jaguatirica, gato-do-mato and panteras ), lizards, birds, hawks, snakes and spiders. The flora is constituted by high trees,bamboos forest, bromelias, hortencias and high field vegetation.