I'm looking to start hiking on weekends, but I've never done it before. I live on the east side of São Paulo and don't want to spend too much on travel. Does anyone know a good place that's accessible even for beginners?
You actually don't need a specific "place to learn" - you can start on any easy trail and build experience that way, like at Pico do Jaraguá or Cantareira which is close to you and has pretty chill options for beginners. The most important thing is starting with short trails, bringing water and decent shoes, and gradually increasing the difficulty as you get the hang of it.
Pico do Jaraguá and Serra da Cantareira are good options, but if you're on the east side, the Trilha da Pedra Grande in Atibaia is more interesting - it's about two hours by bus and the trail is pretty chill, well-marked, with no major surprises for someone just starting out. I went alone one weekend and the difficulty is really basic, you can do the whole route without getting exhausted. Bring plenty of water, decent sneakers (you don't need expensive gear) and start early so you can catch the bus back without rushing.
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