What You Should Know About Rio’s Pedra Do Telégrafo

Pedra do Telégrafo in Rio de Janeiro provides the ultimate vacation photo opportunity: a stunningly beautiful mountaintop location that, when photographed at the right angle, creates a thrilling optical illusion without the risks associated with clambering up rock faces.

How to get the perfect shot?

When it comes to documenting their travels, many people consider risks to be par for the course, and the selfie phenomenon has pushed people to push themselves even further.

Pedra do Telégrafo allows visitors to pose for daring photos without risk. .

Extreme selfie-taking has sparked a travel photography craze. Many adventurers today strive for perfection and will bend over backwards – sometimes literally – to get the best photo, no longer satisfied with a poolside snap or generic landscape.

There is no shortage of evidence demonstrating how far people will go for the perfect Instagram shot. Simply look at the popular #boyfriendsofinstagram hashtag for examples of what people will go through to get the perfect Instagram photo. A carefully curated image or selfie is widely regarded as proof that you are present and having a good time.

However, there is a darker side to these images that belies their cool exterior. Baths that appear to be relaxing frequently involve cold, naked dashes from phone to tub before the timer goes off. Roofers risk life and limb by scrambling onto high-rise buildings solely to capture an epic shot from the top. Boyfriends are pictured sprawled on the ground in the middle of busy traffic crossings to capture the perfect shot of their girlfriends.

Numerous selfie-related accidents, some of which resulted in fatalities, have prompted campaigns warning of the dangers of selfie-taking. “A cool selfie could cost you your life,” Russia’s interior ministry warned in a leaflet aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of posing and posting without thinking. However, this is not the case at Pedra do Telégrafo.

Pedra do Telégrafo

What appears to be a death-defying stunt involving a jutting rock and a heart-stopping drop is actually an illusion at Pedra do Telégrafo.

From clinging to the cliff for dear life to toppling a loved one over the edge, clever positioning and witty art direction enable a plethora of scenarios guaranteed to shock and awe – and you’re not putting your neck on the line at a mere 9.8 feet (three meters) from the ground. The end result is eye-catching and sure to bring a few smiles (plus a few hundred ‘likes’ if you’re on Facebook).

Directions to Pedra do Telégrafo

People are frequently surprised by the amount of effort required to reach Pedra do Telégrafo; a 90-minute drive from Copacabana is only the beginning. Many people would rather take a taxi or hire a guide than figure out the local bus schedules. Public transportation may be more trouble than it’s worth for non-Portuguese speakers, and it may end up taking twice as long.

The trail up to the spot is 0.6 mile (one kilometer) long and well-marked, but you must first complete a hike twice that length to get there.

It is about an hour’s walk up a steep slope and should not be attempted in flip-flops, but it is easily managed by both adults and children. The views of wild beaches and Brazilian greenery along the route make this a fun hike, and there’s plenty of shade on the Telégrafo stretch as well – just be prepared for the heat.

The big shot

The views from Pedra do Telégrafo are spectacular, and it’s worth the trip just to see them. However, before you go, check the weather forecast; if it’s foggy, the photo won’t work.

Prepare to wait in line for photos. On hot days, you could easily spend hours in the sun waiting your turn. Given that the entire point is to capture this one shot, it’s a small price to pay if you’re dedicated.

Finally, before you arrive, do some research and look at other people’s photos to ensure you make the most of your time and get the all-important ‘money shot.’