Inca Bridge facts for kids
The Inca Bridge or Inka Bridge refers to two different places connected to the ancient city of Machu Picchu in Peru. Both were important for travel and defense during the time of the Incas. One of these bridges was even a secret entrance used by the Inca army.
The Secret Stone Inca Bridge
This Inca Bridge is part of a mountain path that goes west from Machu Picchu. It is a stone trail, and some parts are carved right into the side of a steep cliff. The Incas left a gap about 20 feet wide in this carved cliff section. Below this gap is a huge drop of about 1,900 feet!
To cross this dangerous gap, the Incas would place two tree trunks over it. This made the path passable for them. But if they removed the trunks, the trail became impossible for outsiders to cross. This clever design helped keep Machu Picchu safe and secret from enemies.
The Ancient Inca Rope Bridge
Another "Inca Bridge" was an old Inca grass rope bridge. This bridge was located outside of Machu Picchu, crossing the Urubamba River southeast of Cusco. It was built in a place called the Pongo de Mainique.
These amazing bridges were made from dried grasses and wood. Even today, a replica of this type of bridge is built every one or two years. Local people celebrate this event as a very important tradition.
Other Famous Rope Bridges
The Q'iswa Chaka is a famous Inca rope bridge that still exists today. Its name means "rope bridge" in the Quechua language. It stretches across the Apurímac River near Huinchiri, Peru. Many people believe it is the last original Inca rope bridge still in use.
Another historic rope bridge was the Mawk'a Chaka, which means "old bridge" in Quechua. This suspension bridge also crossed the Apurímac River. It was used for about 300 years but disappeared by the late 1800s. You can still see parts of the tunnels and supports that led to this old bridge. Some local groups are planning to rebuild it to help hikers and offer amazing views of the gorge.
