Pico da Bandeira

Pico da Bandeira, also known as Bandeira Peak, is the third highest mountain in Brazil, located on the border of the states of Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais. In both states, it is the highest point. It was previously thought to be the highest mountain in Brazil until 1965, when Pico da Neblina and Pico 31 de Março, near the Venezuelan border, were explored, measured, and found to be higher. According to legend, the peak was named after Pedro II, Emperor of Brazil, who ordered a flag to be flown atop it.

Pico da Bandeira is also notable for having the greatest topographic isolation in Brazil: 2,344 km (1,457 miles). This means that there is no other point on the Earth's surface at equal or greater elevation within that distance. Only Aconcagua, Denali, Pico de Orizaba, and Mount Whitney are more topographically isolated than Pico da Bandeira, and there are only 20 more isolated mountains in the world.

It is a major attraction of Caparaó National Park (Portuguese: Parque Nacional do Caparaó), which can be reached from the nearby town of Alto Caparaó. The town and the park's entrance are in Minas Gerais, but the summit of Pico da Bandeira is in Espírito Santo.

The summit is reachable by hikers of all ages, with only minimal fitness requirements. Most vehicles can drive from the park entrance to the summit track [8 km (5.0 mi)], and the summit track itself runs for approximately 9 km (5.6 mi), with an additional 1,000 m (3,280 ft) climb.

Location: Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Elevation: 2,892 m (9,488 ft)