Machu Picchu - Inca Bridge Trail

Wednesday, 22 August 2018

The Inca Bridge Trail is a short, easy trail over what was presumably the route used when the Incas abandoned Machu Picchu. While easy on the muscles, it is not easy on the mind, as it clings to a sheer cliff with frightening drop-offs.

This trail was quite the engineering feat. In spots the trail had to be built-up and buttressed from below. Some of the trail had very welcome walls along the downhill side.

In other places parts of the mountainside were removed to make room for the trail.

But other places the trail was largely unprotected. Imagine taking pack llamas and carrying household goods over such a trail!

The Inca Bridge. This vertical cut-out required that wooden planks be put across the gap to complete the trail. The gate at left keeps visitors off this section of the trail.

A closer look at the bridge.

And now for something completely different. A gecko peers out from beneath a rock.