Hike up to Inca Bridge at Machu Picchu

Many tourists seem to ignore the Inca Bridge at Machu Picchu. Perhaps it’s because they don’t want to make the short 30-minute trek to go see it. Or maybe they are too busy taking photos of the main site. Some, of course, just don’t know the Inca Bridge exists.

All of which is a shame, really, as the Inca Bridge (Inka Bridge, Puente Inka) is definitely worth seeing — and the lack of tourists along the narrow, but easy trail makes it a nice escape from the selfie-obsessed hordes.

The hike up to the Inca Bridge wraps around the backside of a mountain in the opposite direction of the Machu Picchu ruins. A special ticket is not needed to walk the path, although daily traffic to the Inca Bridge is documented. Each visitor must log their name in a book at the entrance and then sign out. It’s about a 20-minute hike along a fairly narrow path towards the bridge. While the climb isn’t steep, some of the drop-offs along the edges may make some people uneasy.

What is the Inca Bridge?

The Inca Bridge is made of a few narrow logs perched above a sheer vertical drop – it´s believed to have served as a secret entrance to Machu Picchu. Crossing the bridge itself is strictly forbidden today for safety reasons, but you can take as many photos as you like. On the return hike, you’re likely to ponder whether or not you would have the “courage” to cross the bridge if you lived during the time of the Incas.

Seeing or hike up to the Inca Bridge

To get to the Inca Bridge, head up from the main entrance to Machu Picchu, passing the Caretaker’s Hut. Near here, you should be able to see a wooden sign pointing the way to the Inca Bridge. If not, ask one of the numerous site wardens to point the way.

The entrance to the Inca Bridge trail begins at a small wooden warden’s hut, which sits opposite Machu Picchu’s meteorological station. Access is free, but you have to sign in, giving your name and time of departure.

From here, it’s a fairly easy 20- to 30-minute walk to the bridge itself. The views from the trail are stunning, with cloud forest, river canyons and mountains stretching out below and beyond the path. In places, the trail narrows to the width of one person, with sheer drops below. If you suffer from severe vertigo, you might have some problems. If not, you should be able to make it, even if you have to take things slowly.

You’ll see the bridge first from above. Getting closer, you’ll eventually come to a wooden gate that completely blocks access to the bridge and the rest of the trail. It’s simply too dangerous to let visitors walk any further along the route (apparently a tourist fell and died a few years ago, before the barrier was erected), but it’s an impressive sight nonetheless.