The Lopes Mendes hike: sweat in the forest, swim in the open sea
The T10 trail links Vila do Abraão to Lopes Mendes beach on Ilha Grande, about 6 km and 2.5 to 3 hours on foot. It is moderate, with climbs between the beaches of Palmas, Mangues and Pouso. On the way back you can catch a boat from Pouso and save your legs.
- Duration
- Full day; 2.5 to 3 h of hiking each way
- Level
- Moderate
- Departs from
- Vila do Abraão, Ilha Grande
- Best time
- May to September, early start
The PDF works without signal, on the boat or halfway up the trail.
The day's route
-
7:30 am
01
Vila do Abraão
Start early, before the heat. Fill your bottles in the village and tell someone your route. Leggings and a sports top on the outside, bikini underneath.
-
7:45 am
02
T10 trailhead
The trail starts at the end of the waterfront and climbs right away. The stretch from Abraão to Palmas is the toughest, with a hill in the middle. Go at your own pace.
-
8:45 am
03
Palmas trail viewpoint
Stop, breathe and look back: the whole Abraão cove opens up below you. Your first reward of the day.
-
9:15 am
04
Praia Grande das Palmas
Refill your bottles here. From this point on there is no reliable drinking water along the trail.
-
9:45 am
05
Mangues and Pouso beaches
Up and down between quiet beaches, dense forest and flashes of sea through the trees. At Pouso the final stretch begins, trail T11.
-
10:15 am
06
Trail T11, Pouso to Lopes Mendes
About 1 km of easy walking, 20 to 30 minutes through the forest. When the white sand shows through the trees, you will know why you came on foot.
-
10:45 am to 3:00 pm
07
Lopes Mendes beach
Around 3 km of fine, firm white sand, open ocean and waves good for surfing. Almond trees give natural shade. Peel off the workout layer and stay in your bikini: this is Swim and Sweat in real life.
-
From 3:00 pm
08
Boat back from Pouso, or walk
Boats from Pouso to Abraão usually run in the afternoon; check the last one on your way in. If you walk back, leave with time to spare and carry a flashlight.
What to wear
Leggings that stay put on the climbs and a sleeved crop top to shield your shoulders from the sun between the trees.
A bikini with secure ties under your workout gear. Reach the sand, slip off the leggings and walk into the sea.
Light shorts and a cropped tank over your still-damp bikini. Dries fast and looks great in the golden-hour photo.
What to pack
- Trail shoes with good grip
- At least 2 liters of water per person
- Light snacks and fruit
- Sunscreen and a cap
- Insect repellent
- Flashlight or a charged phone
- A bag to carry your trash back
- Cash for the boat back
- Light sarong
Safety
- There is no reliable drinking water on the trail; refill in Abraão and at Palmas.
- Tell someone your route and when you expect to be back.
- Trail markings are poor in places; for a first time, a registered guide is a smart choice.
- Lopes Mendes has strong currents and sudden drop-offs even in the shallows. Stay waist-deep if you do not know the beach.
- Skip the hike in heavy rain; mud makes the descents slippery.
- Do not start walking back late in the afternoon without a flashlight.
Getting there
First get to Vila do Abraão on Ilha Grande by boat from Angra dos Reis (Estação Santa Luzia or Cais da Lapa) or from Conceição de Jacareí. The T10 starts in the village itself. If you would rather walk less, take a boat from Abraão to Pouso beach and hike only the T11, about 1 km, to Lopes Mendes.
View on Google MapsFAQ
How long is the hike to Lopes Mendes?
Two and a half to three hours from Vila do Abraão, over about 6 km. Add time for photo and water breaks.
Is the Lopes Mendes trail hard?
It is moderate. There are ups and downs between beaches, and the hardest part is Abraão to Palmas. If you walk regularly, you will be fine.
Do I need a guide?
Not for the T10 in daylight, but some markings are poor. For a first time, or if you are alone, a Cadastur-registered guide adds peace of mind.
Can I go by boat instead?
Yes. Boats run from Abraão to Pouso beach, and from there it is about 1 km, 20 to 30 minutes of easy trail, to Lopes Mendes.
Are there facilities at Lopes Mendes?
Very few. In high season there are snack and drink vendors near the trail exit, but no drinking water. Bring what you need.
Can I swim at Lopes Mendes?
Yes, carefully. It is open ocean with waves and strong currents. Stay in the shallows, watch the sea before going in and avoid swimming alone.
Updated September 21, 2026
Sources
Facts checked against these sources. Conditions change: confirm on the day.
- ilhagrande.com.br/atrativos/atividades/trilhas-da-ilha-grande/trilha-t
- ilhagrande.com.br/praias/lopes-mendes/
- ilhagrande.com.br/atrativos/atividades/picos-e-mirantes-de-ilha-grande
- alltrails.com/trail/brazil/rio-de-janeiro--2/vila-do-abraao-praia-lope
- ilhagrande.com.br/como-chegar/como-chegar-em-abraao/
IMAVI is not a travel agency and does not sell or run tours. This content is for information only. Book tours only with companies and guides registered with Cadastur, Brazil's official Ministry of Tourism registry. Schedules, prices and sea conditions change, so always confirm with the operator on the day.