Itatiaia was Brazil’s first national park, encompassing an area incredibly mountainous land, too difficult to log in many places, which is why it remains in such conditiontoday.

Situated between Brazil’s two biggest cities, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Itatiaia's Atlantic Rainforest shares many tree species more commonly found in the subtropics of South America. Itatiaia ranges from 500 metres to nearly 3,000 metres (over 1,600 ft to nearly 9,200 ft) in altitude, which brings its cooler temperatures closer to the subtropics than the surrounding areas.

The dramatic land forms of this park makes it a great hiking destination. Itatiaia comprises no less than twelve River basins which feed into the Rio Grande. This all combines to create a comprehensive collection of walks ranging from easy, relatively flat trails along rivers and rapids in the lower section of the park; all the way up to more advanced, steep inclines with huge views at some of the most elevated summits.

Itatiaia is one of Brazil's most scenic areas.