Distance and elevation (round trip) from Posto Marcão (entrance): 19 km (11.8 mi) / 460 m (1,509 ft)

The highest point of Itatiaia is also its main attraction, as it offers views for the whole upper part. There are several climbing routes but even those who do not climb can reach the summit through a trail with places where you’ll have to use your hands too, and one or another place using ropes. If you are not a climber or a very experienced mountaineer, hire a guide so you won’t miss the day looking for the path and to prevent an accident, what is not uncommon here.

Distance and elevation (round trip) from Rebouças Campground: 6.6 km (4.1 mi) / 290 m (951 ft)

Distance and elevation (round trip) from Posto Marcão (entrance): 12.6 km (7.8 mi) / 330 m (1,082 ft)

This trail is rarely used because the most beautiful view of the Asa de Hermes is from the trail to Agulhas Negras or Pedra do Altar, not being next to it. Anyway, it’s a very fun trail, crawling under stones and short climbing stretches, but since it’s a poorly marked path, it’s important to be with a guide.

Distance and elevation (round trip) from Posto Marcão (entrance): 6 km (3.7 mi) / 100 m (328 ft)

Being the shortest trail in the Upper Part and in the way of those who go to Prateleiras, this small but beautiful waterfall can receive a lot of people on weekends, even with its incredibly cold water.

Distance and elevation (round trip) using Cinco Lagos Circuit: 12,2 km (7.5 mi) / 350 m (1,148 ft)

The waterfall is beautiful, but depending on the season may have small volume of water. Even in the summer the water is extremely cold, indeed even colder than Flores waterfall. In one of the measurements I made in October 2015, the thermometer marked only 7° Celsius (44° Fahrenheit), so think twice if you want to do this trail to swim in these waters.

Distance and elevation of Couto-Prateleiras Crossing: 13.2 km (8.2 mi) / 820 m (2,690 ft)

Morro do Couto is on the edge of the Upper Part and has a beautiful view both inside and outside the Park, to Serra Fina and Pedra da Mina, the fourth highest point in Brazil. The summit of Morro do Couto can be reached by a trail that starts at Posto Marcão (entrance) or by doing the circuit that crosses Morro do Couto and goes to the base of Prateleiras, returning by Flores waterfall and Rebouças Campground, which I consider the best option.

Distance and elevation (round trip) using 5 Lagos Circuit: 14 km (8.7 mi) / 580 m (1,902 ft)

Ovos da Galinha (Chicken Eggs) are very interesting formations and it’s worth seeing them when you go to Pedra do Sino, since they are on the way, or when you go to Aiuruoca waterfall, as it’s not far from them.

Distance and elevation using 5 Lagos Circuit to go and going back via Rebouças Campground: 11,2 km (6.9 mi) / 400 m (1,312 ft)

Pedra do Altar (Altar Rock) is right in the center of the Upper Part, providing an exceptional view to almost all attractions, such as Agulhas Negras, Prateleiras, Morro do Couto, Asa de Hermes and Pedra do Sino. The short trail is well marked and is one of my favorites places in the Park.

Distance and elevation (round trip) from Posto Marcão (entrance): 14.4 km (8.9 mi) / 330 m (1,082 ft)

Most people (guides included) think that Pedra Assentada is in the Prateleiras massif and can be seen from Pedra da Maçã. But no, this is not Pedra Assentada, the real one lies in another massif to the east, on the edge of the Upper Part. As the path is very badly marked from the point where the massive begins to rise, I recommend that you hire a guide not to lose your day or, worse still, get lost in the middle of that maze of stones. To get to the top of Pedra Assentada you must be a climber, but in fact the most beautiful view is beside it, with the view to Itatiaia Lower Part and Pedra Assentada itself.

Distance and elevation (round trip) from Posto Marcão (entrance): 16 km (9.9 mi) / 840 m (2,755 ft)

As it is the longest trail in the Upper Part, Pedra do Sino is few visited even on weekends, being a good option for those who want peace and quiet. In some places the trail is poorly marked, so I recommend hiring a guide to make sure that you will reach the summit, which doesn’t require to be a climber.

Distance and elevation (round trip) from Posto Marcão (entrance): 10.9 km (6.7 mi) / 220 m (721 ft)

Two interesting formations next to Prateleiras massif, though I could never identify such a turtle. One frequent mistake that even some guides make is to think that Pedra Assentada can be seen from here and that it’s in the Prateleiras massif, but the actual Pedra Assentada lies in another massif further east.

Distance and elevation (round trip) from Posto Marcão (entrance): 12.6 km (7.8 mi) / 320 m (1,049 ft)

Great place for climbing and second most famous point of the Park, the summit of Prateleiras can be reached for rock climbers or using a trail that in some places require the use of the hands too, so hiring a guide is mandatory for those who are not climbers or are low experienced mountaineers. The view of the summit is not one of the most beautiful of the Park, but the way up to it is very fun.