Location and surroundings
Pico Agudo is located in Brazil, within the region of Paraná and the municipality of Sapopema. Belonging to the Apucarana Mountains, which form part of the Araucaria Plateau, the Southern Highland, and the broader Brazilian Highlands, it holds the position of the highest of 5 named peaks in the Apucarana Mountains. The surrounding landscape features regional terrain typical of these upland plateaus, shaping the local geography and access routes.
Neighbouring peaks
The surrounding area includes several peaks and passes mapped in relation to Pico Agudo:
- Serra Chata, peak, 1,082 m, 1.8 km NE
- Morro do Paredão, peak, 1,130 m, 6.8 km NW
- Morro do Pico, peak, 969 m, 41.3 km NE
- Pico Agudo, peak, 895 m, 61.2 km E
- Morro do Cedro, peak, 752 m, 73.2 km E
- Morro do Pudim, peak, 558 m, 80.1 km NE
- Morro do Bim, peak, 668 m, 98.9 km NE
- Morro do Cruzeiro, hill, 572 m, 113.6 km NE
Standing at 1,180 metres, Pico Agudo surpasses these nearby summits in elevation within its immediate vicinity.
The view from the summit
From the high point of Pico Agudo, visitors can look out across the surrounding terrain. The highest peak within a 25-kilometre radius is Morro Do Taff, which reaches an elevation of 1,115 metres and is located 7.5 kilometres to the northwest. This nearby giant, along with other regional topography, remains visible under clear atmospheric conditions from the summit area.
The range
The Apucarana Mountains comprise 5 named peaks in total. Pico Agudo serves as the highest point of the range. This mountain range is a component of the Araucaria Plateau, which in turn feeds into the Southern Highland and the extensive Brazilian Highlands spanning across Brazil in South America.
Access and starting points
Access to the area is facilitated by local roads and pathways. According to OpenStreetMap data, the nearest settlement to the summit is the village of São Luiz II, situated 5.8 kilometres to the northeast at an elevation of about 770 metres. From this starting point, hikers face a route of about 7.5 kilometres on foot and 410 metres of elevation gain to reach the top.
Climate and weather
Climate data for Pico Agudo relies on estimates from NASA POWER monthly means covering 2001 to 2000, with temperatures adjusted to the summit elevation. At the summit, the mean temperature of the warmest month, January, is about 20 °C, while the coldest month, July, sees a mean of about 14 °C. Mean temperatures remain above freezing throughout all twelve months of the year. In the surrounding area, total annual precipitation is about 1,450 mm, with January experiencing the wettest conditions at about 200 mm of rain, and August marking the driest month with about 70 mm.
Best time to visit
Given that the mean temperatures at the summit remain above freezing throughout the year from January to December, ascents are technically possible in any month. However, visitors generally prefer the drier months to avoid heavy precipitation. August, which records about 70 mm of rain, offers drier conditions compared to the wettest month of January, which sees about 200 mm of precipitation in the surrounding area.
Nature and wildlife
The landscape around Pico Agudo features the characteristic vegetation and terrain of the Araucaria Plateau and Southern Highland zones in Brazil. The environment supports a diverse ecosystem typical of these upland regions in South America, adapting to the subtropical climate patterns and the elevation changes ranging from valley floors up to 1,180 metres at the summit.
Guides and organised ascents
For climbing in Brazil, visitors can turn to the national alpine club and mountaineering federation, known as the Brazilian Mountaineering and Climbing Confederation (CBME). Established guiding companies operating in the country include Climb in Rio based in Rio de Janeiro. While certified guides are generally helpful for complex alpine terrain, a guided ascent's price depends on factors such as the number of days, group size, required equipment, and logistics.
Safety and preparation
Ascending peaks in the Apucarana Mountains requires adequate preparation, proper footwear, and sufficient water to handle the physical demands of the trail. In the event of an emergency, the primary rescue contact in Brazil is the Fire Department (Corpo de Bombeiros) reachable at 193, which handles mountain rescues. Additional emergency contacts include the police at 190 and the ambulance service at 192.
Interesting facts
Pico Agudo holds the distinction of being the highest of 5 named peaks in the Apucarana Mountains. It stands as a prominent geographic reference point within the municipality of Sapopema and the region of Paraná, representing the culmination of the local mountain range.
FAQ
What is the elevation of Pico Agudo? Pico Agudo stands at an elevation of 1,180 metres.
Where is Pico Agudo located? It is located in Brazil, in the region of Paraná and the municipality of Sapopema, within South America.
Which mountain range does Pico Agudo belong to? It belongs to the Apucarana Mountains, which are part of the Araucaria Plateau, Southern Highland, and Brazilian Highlands.
What are the nearest peaks to Pico Agudo? The nearest peaks include Serra Chata at 1,082 m (1.8 km NE) and Morro do Paredão at 1,130 m (6.8 km NW).
How long does it take to walk up Pico Agudo? Based on an estimate using Naismith's rule from distance and height gain, walking from the village of São Luiz II (5.8 km NE, at about 770 m) covers about 7.5 km on foot and 410 m up, taking roughly 1.5 to 2.5 hours, though the real path may vary.
Is there water on the way to Pico Agudo? As no specific springs or streams are detailed in the mapped data, hikers should carry sufficient water—typically 1.5 to 3 litres for a day trip—depending on heat and exertion levels.
Are there huts on Pico Agudo? OpenStreetMap shows no hut or shelter within 2 km of the top, so hikers usually plan the ascent as a day trip or carry their own tent.
How is the mobile phone coverage on Pico Agudo? Coverage in the hills is patchy and depends on the operator; maps should be downloaded before setting out, though 112 reaches emergency services over any available network.