A wild hiking trail to the top of Morro do Moreno, Vila Velha

One can picture being by the beach as a fully relaxing moment: just you, sitting on a comfortable chair, feet on the sand, windy hair, and the sounds of the waves. Yes, you can certainly enjoy that while visiting Praia da Costa or Praia de Itaparica, which are both great beaches of Vila Velha, located in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. 

But you can also try a different experience, maybe a more adventurous one or wild, but certainly unforgettable. Nearby the city center, there is a mountain popularly known as "Morro do Moreno." Its 184 meters height catches people's attention since the coast is mostly flat - unlike most cities in **Minas Gerais**. 

If you have already visited the **Convento da Penha**, you probably saw Morro do Moreno on the other side of the bridge, right? So try the opposite now: get to see the Convento da Penha from Morro do Moreno. I recommend you do it on different days so that you can take a break from walking up on hills. Make the most out of these experiences. 

Dress comfortably, bring a bottle of water, a charged phone to take nice pictures and lots of energy – you will need that! Also, always try to do it with company so that you can be safer. 

Morro do Moreno, Vila Velha

Reaching Morro do Moreno is very easy. If you are staying in **Praia da Costa **or in the city center, you can walk a few minutes until there. If your hostel is in other neighborhoods or even in Vitoria, you might want to take a bus or a taxi. If you take the bus, get off at the last stop, at Praia da Costa. If you take a taxi, you can just tell them where you are going; it is a very popular and tourist spot.

When you arrive, you will see that the mountain is composed mainly of brown stones- which are even more than the trees and the vegetation all around. Interestingly the mountain is named after its brown color: “Morro do Moreno,” which means “the brown man’s mountain.” Well, brown is also the skin color of the fishermen and surfers in the area, so the spot’s name also reflects the local reality.

The trails

There is a sign in the bottom of the mountain showing both entrances to the track and the road. The road is about 2km long and is very steep, but usually, everyone chooses this way, since it is safer, less tiring and there are many cars and motorcycles. Not to mention the entrance for the zip line, which many tourists love experiencing. 

But since my mother always tells me that I am not like 'everyone,' I decided to accept my cousin's challenge and go through the trail called "Trilha da Raiz." It takes an hour and a half to complete it, and its name could not be more honest: it means "plant roots track." Some parts of the track are so steep that you literally must climb a few rocks just holding onto ropes- if you are smart enough to bring them with you. But if you have no idea of the trouble you are getting into, as I did, then trust the people that know!

Leaving the drama behind, it is all so fun! The natural diversity is huge, as you can see all sorts of plants you can imagine, listen to the birds singing and even see a few monkeys on the trees - if you are lucky enough. Brazil’s climate allows you to enjoy nature at its best, and **Morro do Moreno **and its surroundings are basically that. 

A view to Vitória, Espírito Santo

When you finally reach the top, you might find a few animals, like chickens and horses, and ask yourself what they are doing there. And then your attention will be caught by the view: you can see the whole Terceira Ponte, the 3.3km bridge that connects **Vila Velha **to Vitória, the capital of Espírito Santo. It is nice to admire the sea, the trees all around the mountain, and the buildings of Vitória. Everything looks so small and so quiet when you see them from above.

Morro do Moreno was one of the best adventures I have had in** Espírito Santo**. Of course, I am not that brave as the athletes practicing professional abseiling or parachute flights, but I can proudly say that I had my moment. 

In Brazil, there is an old saying: "to walk down, any saint can help you." Personally, I chose not to trust the saints and just go down by the road. And if you are lucky enough to reach the bottom of Morro do Moreno while the sun is still up, you can end your journey with a sea bath in Praia da Costa. 

This is certainly a good way to end your adventurous day!