The Serra dos Órgãos is a range of granite peaks and spires between Petrópolis and Teresópolis, an hour or two north of Rio de Janeiro, and its national park is the country's great mountain playground. The name comes from the peaks' resemblance to organ pipes.
The best-known of them is the Dedo de Deus, God's Finger, a pinnacle of rock visible from the road up from Rio, and a classic climb. For walkers, the park's signature route is the Petrópolis–Teresópolis traverse, about thirty kilometres over two or three days across high, rocky ground with some of the best views in southeastern Brazil, sleeping in park shelters or tents. The Pedra do Sino, the highest point at over two thousand metres, can also be climbed in a long day from the Teresópolis side.
Easier trails near the Teresópolis entrance lead through Atlantic forest to waterfalls and pools, and the park is excellent for birds.
The dry season, May to September, brings the clearest views; in summer, afternoon storms and cloud are common on the heights.