Lopes Mendes Hike, Ilha Grande: Complete Trail Guide

The Lopes Mendes hike on Ilha Grande was one of our favourite hikes on the island. It takes you past a few lovely beaches and has enough of an incline (& decline) to make the beach at the end feel really worth it. This is how you can hike the Lopes Mendes Trail on Ilha Grande. 

The views along the way range from dense jungle to beautiful beaches.

Where is Ilha Grande

Ilha Grande is a beautiful small island on the east coast of Brazil, just a few hours travel from Rio. 

For all the information on how to get there, where to stay and what to do during your time on Ilha Grande, check out our other Ilha Grande posts:

Why should I do the Lopes Mendes Hike?

The hike to Lopes Mendes beach, in our opinion, is a hike with all the benefits of a good hike. 

1. It only takes 2-3 hours each way 
2. It is mostly shaded – you walk through the jungle
3. There is reasonable uphill but nothing technical
4. You can see some amazing nature and animals 
5. The reward of Praia do Lopes Mendes at the end of the hike is amazing
6. You can take the boat back to Abraão if you’re tired

The hike was really enjoyable and can be broken up a little too, you can stop at the 2 beaches on the way if you’d like.

Hike summary

Difficulty: Moderate

Type of trail: Out-and-back

Length: approx 8km (one way), 16km out-and-back

Time it takes: 2-3 hours (one way)

Alltrails link: T10 hike to Lopes Mendes

What route should I follow?

The trail is really easy to follow. Ilha Grande marks its routes helpfully with numbers, and the hike to Lopes Mendes follows the T10 route. The easiest way to follow this is on Alltrails, but it is also possible by following the signs.

What does the route look like (distance and elevation)?

The T10 trail is as follows:

1. Start in the town of Abraao
2. The first 2km are uphill with an elevation of about 200m over 2km.
3. The next 2km are mainly downhill as you get to Palmas Beach
4. From Palmas beach you will walk another 1km with about 40m of elevation
5. The next 2km includes some up and down as you arrive to Pouso Beach
6. The final 1km includes elevation of about 70m up and down to reach Lopes Mendes
7. You can finally relax (or walk to the far left of the beach for the best spot!)

How long does the hike take?

The hike can take anywhere between 2-3 hours one way, for the average hiker. Of course you can choose to spend some time on any of the beaches you pass along the way, for a cold drink, snack or a sunbathe!

If you walk back the total hike time would be between 4 and 6 hours, depending on your speed. 

What is the level of difficulty?

The hike is moderate. You need a reasonable level of fitness as the hike does have an elevation gain of 350m and periods of constant uphill. Of course you can take your time and as many breaks as you need. 

There are some sections of the hike which involve using both hands to pull yourself up (some of the steps/rocks are pretty steep for those with short legs like me) & there are a few sections with a rope to help pull yourself up steep areas.

What should I bring with me?

• Water, if you do run out you can buy water on the beaches from local vendors
• Snacks
• Good shoes, walking sandals will be fine 
• Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, suncream
• Bug spray
• Beach essentials: towel, swimwear
• Camera
• Cash for the water taxi on the way back 

Is the hike a round trip or an out-and-back?

The  hike is an out-and-back route. If, like us, after laying in the sun and feeling a little sleepy, the thought of the same walk back doesn’t fill you with joy, you can walk 20 mins back to Praia do Pouso and take the water taxi back to Abraão. See the timings below.

Water taxi from Praia do Pouso

If you don’t want to do the hike, but still want to see Praia do Lopes Mendes, you can take the water taxi as a return trip from Abraao. The water taxi for a round trip can cost around R$70 per person.

It will drop you off at Praia do Pouso and you can walk to Lopes Mendes which takes around 15-20 minutes. The walk is up and down and involves a reasonable amount of stairs but is very doable (and worth it!). 

If you have walked to Lopes Mendes but don’t want to walk all the way back, walk the 20 mins back to Praia Pouso and take the water taxi. One way cost us R$50 (£7 / US $9.50).

If you are taking the water taxi both ways, confirm the Pouso beach pick up time in advance. 

If you are taking the water taxi only one way from Praia Pouso, the water taxi leaves at 3pm, 4pm or 5pm.

We bought our tickets just after 3pm & enjoyed a beer on the beach before heading back at 4pm.

If you are there in peak season, it might be worth buying your ticket on the hike as you go through Pouso Beach. There are people sitting around with taxi boat signs as well as contactless machines for card payment. 

What can I do on Lopes Mendes beach?

Relax! The beach is lovely and long so there is plenty of area to find the best spot for you. Closer to the trees you will find some shade.

You will also see lots of people playing ball games, swimming & even some people surfing in the sea. 

Local vendors will be selling snacks and drinks here too. 

Best spot to relax on Lopes Mendes beach

If you have it in you after your hike, when you arrive on the beach, turn left and walk all the way along toward the end.

Here the wind is a bit calmer and there is hardly anyone around, it is pure paradise! 

What animals might I see on the hike?

We saw a Toco toucan!, marmoset monkeys, lizards, other colourful birds and some amazing plants too!