Túnel Ferroviário

This Trail is accessible

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Description

In this historical route, the hiker traverses a section of the old Maricá Railway (EFM), passing through a tunnel carved into the rock. The trail also includes a viewpoint at the end of the route, overlooking the Serra do Calaboca. The walk follows the most challenging stretch of the old railway, where trains faced significant difficulties in overcoming the mountain's ascent, often requiring long stops to increase the boiler pressure before continuing the journey. The railway tunnel was built in 1889 and is part of the old EFM that connected São Gonçalo to Cabo Frio. Before the railway, the transportation of goods to Niterói was done by mule trains along difficult paths. The EFM boosted agricultural production, urban growth, and tourism, especially in Maricá. Construction of the railway began in 1887 through local initiative, with the first section inaugurated in 1888. Later expanded, it connected different municipalities and even established maritime links with Rio de Janeiro. For about 70 years, it was essential for the transportation of people and goods, as well as marking the emotional memory of the population with its steam locomotives. Decommissioned in the early 1960s, its tracks were subsequently removed. Today, walking this route represents an important historical and cultural recovery of the region.

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