Possibly my favourite day in Brazil was the day we hiked from Abraao to Lopes Mendes.
This was one of our four days on the beautiful island of Ilha Grande. The island has so much to offer in terms of hiking trails, and gorgeous beaches.
In this blog I’m sharing all that you need to know to hike one of the most popular and highly recommended trails. Trail T10 from Abraao to Lopes Mendes (Lopes Mendes Beach).
The hike is challenging, but completely worth it. It passes through jungle areas, several beaches and both flat gravel trails and uneven muddy path.
The views along the way are spectacular, looking over the bay of Abraao, and later, over the beaches on the other side of the island. Throughout the hike from Abraao to Praia Lopes Mendes you can experience the jungle and the ocean all in one. It’s truly island living.
At one point on our walk we were passed by two other hikers, walking barefoot in swimwear and with surfboards under their arms. I certainly wouldn’t recommend taking on this trail in bare feet, but it was certainly impressive!
The Highlights
- 4-5 hours (with food and photo stops!)
- 8.5 Kilometres
- Difficulty : Moderate
(For an easier walk, try hiking the Abraao Loop, Trail T1.)
What To Take
- Backpack (you’ll need both hands!)
- Decent walking shoes
- Water
- Some snacks
- Swimwear
- Travel towel/something to lie on the beach
- Sunscreen
- Camera
- Cash for the water taxi
When To Go
I would highly recommend visiting Ilha Grande at any time of year. We visited in September, which is spring time, and still not incredibly hot.
At first I was disappointed with the temperature, but after hiking from Abraao to Praia Lopes Mendes, I realise that it would be incredibly more challenging to do so in the height of summer.
One thing to be cautious of is the rain. This trail would be incredibly challenging, and potentially dangerous to attempt in the rain or immediately after heavy rainfall. It may be worth packing a poncho, if rain is forecast, but I would advise to just wait until a dry day if you can.
How To Hike Abraao to Lopes Mendes Beach
This guide explains how to walk from Abraao to Lopes Mendes, but the instructions work exactly the same in reverse if you want to walk from Lopes Mendes to Abraao. (Or if you’re feeling adventurous, and want to walk both directions).
9:30am – Set off from Julia Beach.
Set off early enough to give yourself enough time to enjoy Lopes Mendes Beach at the end of your hike.
Start from the town of Abraao, and make your way towards the beginning of the T10 trail at Julia Beach.
The first hour and a half is mainly muddy trails, through the jungle. The path climbs at a fairly steep rate, offering some beautiful views across the bay once you make it to the top. Be prepared to scramble at points when it gets very steep. And be cautious of slipping if there has recently been rain.
After about 200m of altitude over 2km you’ll get your first views of the bay.
11:30 Arrive At Palmas Beach
We arrived at the first beach of the hike, Palmas, about two hours in. There are a few Bed & Breakfast lodgings and restaurants on the sand.
On arrival at Palmas Beach, we had to scale down a rock using a rope to get from the trail to the sand. I didnt take any pictures, but I did feel very Indiana Jones doing it!
We opted to grab a late breakfast here and I’m very glad we did. This is a hike that needs a lot of energy and we hadn’t eaten properly before we left.
12:20 – Rejoin Trail T10
After some great food by the waves we rejoined the trail at the far end of Palmas beach. This required some more rock climbing and shoe removal.
Note- If you’ve got sandals that you can hike and wade it – wear those!
The next section of the hike continued on a similar style path as the first. The trail was mostly muddy, with a lot of incline, rocks and tree roots.
There are sections that require you to boulder a little. It was little less intense on the inclines, but that was offset by the increasing heat from the sun, now fully risen and beating down through the jungle trees.
1pm: Pouso Beach
Beach number 2! Pouso beach has a dramatic entrance along a gorgeous, and very tropical island-esqe pier.
We spent a little time on the pier snapping pictures, before climbing downthe ladder and wading across the low tide to the sand. I imagine the experience of hiking from Abraao to Lopes Mendes beach varies depending on the rainfall and tides.
At the far end of Pouso beach is another pier. This is another great photo opportunity. It’s also where you can get the water taxi to Abraao at the end of the day.
1:30pm Mangue Beach
Only 10 minutes away from Pouso beach, is Mangue beach. These two beaches are connected with an easy, flat path. Some much needed relief from the intense ups and down of walking from Abraao to Pouso.
Mangue Beach has a floating restaurant, which is also the last point to pick up food or use a restroom before the final stretch to Lopes Mendes.
The Instagrammable spots continue to appear on Mangue. Notably, the gorgeously painted surfboard wall and the fun rope swing hanging from a palm tree.
We didn’t eat at the restaurant, but we did enjoy an acai bowl from a local food stand. And you haven’t truly experienced Brazilian beaches until you’ve had an acai bowl.
1:40pm: The Final Stretch
The final stretch from Mangue beach to Lopes Mendes Beach was a smoother and more accessible trail that the rest of the trip. This is important to know, as it’s possible to catch a water taxi from Abraao to Mangue / Pouso and just walk the final 30 minutes.
It’s sadly not wheelchair accessible (not much of Ilha Grande is). But it’s an easier walk. When the path changes from dirt to sand, you know you’re getting close!
2:10pm: Arrive At Lopes Mendes Beach
You’ve made it!
Lopes Mendes Beach is stunning and worth every incline, muddy trail and sweaty moment that it took to get there.
Naturally, the first thing we did on arrival was change into swimwear and jump into the gloriously inviting waves.
Praia Lopes Mendes itself doesn’t have a massive amount of things to buy. There are only a few water/ board rental shacks. And there are no pousadas or restaurants. So stock up at a previous beach, then enjoy the beauty of being in an unspoiled corner of the world.
The only downside to hiking from Abraoo to Lopes Mendes is the limited time you have at the beach. If its a day in the sun you’re after, perhaps a water taxi would be better for you. But I loved the experience and the accomplishment of really feeling like we’d earned our beach nap.
Getting Home From Lopes Mendes to Abraao
Technically, it’s possible to repeat each of the above instructions in reverse and walk from Lopes Mendes to Abraao.
However, as we were pretty tired, and we risked finishing the trail in the dark (not advised!) we opted to take a water taxi home.
Note: It is NOT POSSIBLE to get a water taxi from Praia Lopes Mendes to Abraao. You must walk back to Mangues or Pouso.
If you already know when you wish to depart, the best plan would be to buy a ticket for a water taxi at Mangues on your way to Lopes Mendes, earlier in the day. This means you can avoid a boat selling out and ending up stranded.
Either way, there are fast or slow boats taking you back to Abraao village. Naturally, the fast boats cost a little more.
We opted for the slow boat which departed from Pouso at 5pm. It cost about £3 and took around 1 hour.
And that’s it! The number one thing to do while visiting Ilha Grande!
